Neymar accused of exploiting cleaner over '60-hour working weeks without holiday'

The Brazilian superstar has been accused by his former cleaner who claimed she worked 60-hour weeks for the ex-Barcelona and PSG forward with no holiday or paid leave

Posted Friday, November 17, 2023 by Dailystar.co.uk

Neymar is facing scrutiny over claims he employed a cleaner without declaring her job and allegedly exploited her.

The Al-Hilal star has been referred to the labour court over the claims regarding a 35-year-old Brazilian mum-of-four who alleges she worked seven-day weeks between January 2021 and October 2022, according to Le Parisien. The woman is also claiming she was forced to work up until two weeks before the premature birth of her fourth child, which is when she left her position.

As a result, she is demanding a payment of £321,000 from the 31-year-old, who she further claimed never granted her holidays or paid leave in the 60-hour weeks she worked for £13.10 per hour. In a statement, the claimant's lawyers said: "Neymar exploited our client’s precariousness to impose undignified working conditions on her, in violation of the basic rules of labour law.

"We deplore that such a personality could have shown so much inhumanity, even going so far as to kick our client out of his home a few days before giving birth prematurely, while she was complaining of pain. We are now considering giving this case the criminal action it deserves."

The former Barcelona icon's camp told the French publication that they've yet to be informed of the case and it remains to be seen whether it could reach a criminal court. It's been a troubling period for the Brazilian, who tore his ACL and meniscus during international duty last month.

Following the devastating injury, Al-Hilal of the Saudi Pro League released a statement where they wished well to their prized asset. "The medical tests Neymar underwent, confirmed the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tear injury in his knee," it read. "He will be going through surgery and then a treatment program that will be determined later. Return Stronger."

Neymar - who overtook Pele as Brazil's all-time top scorer earlier this year - spoke about his injury on social media where he wrote: "It's a very sad moment, the worst. I know I'm strong but this time I'm going to need my friends (family and friends) even more. It's not easy to go through injury and surgery, imagine going through it all again after four months of recovery.

"I have faith, too much. But I place the strength in God's hands so that he can renew mine. Thank you for the messages of support and affection."