A total of €118,597 in unpaid wages was recovered in the farming sector for farm workers in 2018 by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

Some 106 agriculture inspections were undertaken by the Commission in 2018 and in 46 cases (43% of inspections) employers of farm workers were found to be in breach of employment law, resulting in the €118,597 being recovered for workers.

Equine

In the equine sector, some €73,469 was recovered in unpaid wages last year and in 84% of the 45 inspections, employers were found to be in breach of employment law.

In 2018, agriculture inspections covered 6,312 workers and 949 workers in the equine sector.

The figures were revealed in the WRC’s 2018 annual report, with inspections undertaken by its inspection and enforcement service.

In 2018, agriculture inspections covered 6,312 workers and 949 workers in the equine sector

The inspection service looks at employment records to ensure compliance with employment law and delves into employers' employment-related books, records and documents, and can conduct interviews with an employer and current and former employees.

Compliance

The aim of the service is to monitor employment conditions and ensure compliance with employment legislation.

If necessary, the WRC will enforce employment rights legislation, which might include redress for, and payment of, any unpaid wages arising from breaches of employment rights.

In total, the WRC recovered over €3m in unpaid wages across all sectors.

Read more

Farm manager with multiple sclerosis wins unfair dismissal case

Butcher unfairly dismissed after ‘pork loin assault’