City boss’s maid paid below legal minimum

A WEALTH management company boss claimed he paid a Filipino maid less than the minimum wage because he treated her like family, a court heard.

Francis Menassa, the chief executive of Jar Capital, said that since Elvira Macato had been a live-in maid for nearly 12 years, had food provided for her and joined family holidays, he was not required by law to pay her the minimum wage.

However, Ms Macato said she was not related to them, was employed as a domestic worker and wore a uniform. She said her daily tasks included looking after three children, cooking, cleaning and doing the laundry.

At the High Court, Ms Macato – originally from the Philippines – claimed she called her employers “Sir” and “Madam” at their Oxshott, Surrey, home. She also alleged that her passport, visa documents and national insurance card were kept from her.

Her lawyers are claiming that Ms Macato, who had less than three months’ holiday during that time, is owed £236,170 in back pay.