Unite meeting teachers next Tuesday, working to secure wages 

LanLearn case highlights need for proper regulation

March 22nd: Unite, which organises English Language Teachers, today said that 10 teachers have been left without wages owed following the closure of LanLearn, a Limerick language school, after a Department of Justice inspection resulted in withdrawal of accreditation. The union will be meeting with the teachers in Limerick next Tuesday (March 27^th).

Unite said it is also concerned for around 150 students who have been left stranded by the closure.

Commenting, Unite Regional Organiser Roy Hassey said the case highlights the need for proper regulation in the sector to safeguard the interests of teachers and students, as well as Ireland’s reputation as an English Language Teaching centre.

“Unite was contacted earlier this week by teachers who have not only been left unpaid since February but who are also trying to assist foreign students who were turned away from their accommodation on foot of the school’s failure to pay the provider.

“We will be meeting with the teachers involved next Tuesday to explore the options available to them in an effort to secure the wages they are owed.

“For the past two years Unite has been highlighting the lack of proper regulation in this booming sector, and this week teachers and students have again paid the price for the Government’s hands-off approach.

“The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Amendment) Bill now needs to be progressed through the Oireachtas, and Unite will continue working with a range of political parties to ensure that the Bill safeguards employment standards as well as tuition standards.

“Meanwhile, our priority is to ensure that the teachers left stranded by this closure of LanLearn receive the wages they are owed”, Roy Hassey said.