“Australia’s court tells ex-Indian ambassador Navdeep Suri to pay $97,200 to Seema Shergill. He paid her less than $10 a day while she worked at his home from April 2015 to May 2016.”
“Former Indian High Commissioner to Australia, Navdeep Suri, has been told to pay nearly $100,000 to a past domestic worker. He paid her less than $10 every day for over a year’s work, as per ABC News.
This new penalty adds to an earlier court order for Suri to repay $136,000 plus interest for the work done by Seema Shergill at his Canberra residence.
During a hearing in November 2023, Justice Elizabeth Raper heard that Shergill went to Australia in April 2015 and worked for a year for Suri. She worked seven days a week, around 17.5 hours daily, for 13 months until May 2016.”
ABC News reports that Seema Shergill was paid around $3,400 for her work, which included cleaning, cooking, gardening, and walking Suri’s dog. The money was sent to an Indian account she couldn’t access in Australia.
Justice Elizabeth Raper ordered Suri to pay Shergill $97,200 within 60 days. The court found Suri breached the Fair Work Act up to nine times.
Raper stated Suri’s actions were severe and exploitative, resembling “slave-like conditions”. Shergill couldn’t take breaks, worsening her situation.
Suri didn’t cooperate or show remorse during proceedings. Shergill’s lawyer praised her bravery for pursuing the case.
The lawyer suggested changes in the law to protect domestic workers at diplomatic residences.
India rejects the court ruling against Navdeep Suri, stating that Australia has no authority to decide on matters involving Indian service staff. Arindam Bagchi from the External Affairs Ministry urged Canberra to honor its duties under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
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