Firm claims it can't pay redundancy due to EU sanctions on Russia

Workplace Relations Commission hears employees of Irish subsidiary of a Russian aircraft leasing firm were left 'high and dry'

Avia Capital Leasing — a subsidiary of Russia’s second largest bank, the state-owned VTB Bank — shut down on April 26, 2022. Stock picture: PA

The Irish subsidiary of a Russian aircraft leasing firm has claimed it is unable to pay redundancy to former staff as a result of financial sanctions imposed by the EU following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Avia Capital Leasing made the claim before a hearing of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in a case taken by its former technical manager, Anton Gremin, who was seeking redundancy after his employment with an annual salary of almost €72,000 was terminated in April 2022.