MY POLISH SLAVES; Taunts from hotel boss cost him pounds 16k at tribunal.

Byline: By Fiona Davidson

THREE workers who were called "Polish bitches" and "Polish slaves" by their hotel boss have won more than pounds 16,000 compensation at a tribunal.

The three, sisters Joanna and Lydia Wisniewska and friend Sylvia Pionkowska, won their claims of racial discrimination and unfair sacking.

They had come to Scotland to work and live at the Glendaruel Hotel in Colintraive, Argyll, after Lydia, 26, responded to an internet advert.

Hotel boss Clive Jeffries, who ran the seven-bedroom hotel with wife Jackie, had promised them pounds 180-a-week plus free food and accommodation.

Lydia and Sylvia, 29, arrived in the country in January last year and Joanna, 21, came in March.

But by April, Jeffries was calling them his Polish "slaves" and "bitches" in front of customers in the public bar.

The Glasgow employment tribunal heard he even asked Lydia: "What is slut in Polish?" The trio were also forced to work more than their 48 hours without pay.

One night last June they didn't get to bed until 5am after working at a birthday party with 90 guests.

They were forced to get up four hours later to start cleaning duties.

Lydia, who had recently had an operation, collapsed.

The others refused to work that evening and, after a row over pay, Jeffries told them to "f*** off now". They packed their bags and left.

Tribunal chairman Walter Muir said the trio were exploited "to a very great degree" by the Jeffries.

He added: "Either wittingly or unwittingly, he hit the nail on the head when he referred to them as his slaves."

The sisters now live in Rothesay while Sylvia returned to Poland.

Joanna said: "We realised we were being treated unfairly and want other migrant workers who come to Scotland to know they can get help in situations like this."

CAPTION(S):

HOTEL OF SHAME: The Glendaruel, where the trio worked; VICTORY: For sisters Joanna and Lydia SPINDRIFT