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WRC inspectors recovered over €1.4m in wages, annual report reveals

Summary

In 2022, Workplace Relations Commission inspectors recovered €1,405,126 in unpaid wages, a 45% rise from €964,281 in 2021. Forty‑five percent of employers were found in breach, up from 27% in 2021. Retail and food service sectors accounted for about a third of inspections and 60% of recovered wages. The WRC prosecuted 89 employers, convicting 24, granting 38 probation benefits, and receiving 7 charitable donations. Twelve cases were withdrawn or dismissed, and eight were not pursued. The Commission also recovered €208,044 for workers where employers failed to pay adjudication awards in 30 cases before court orders. The employment and equality tribunal recorded a 30% increase in adjudication hearings to 4,253, with 17% of claims withdrawn before hearing. The report highlighted a 30% rise in parties opting for mediation before formal hearings, and noted that hearings are taking longer than anticipated due to oath and cross‑examination requirements.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: WRC inspectors recovered over €1.4m in wages, annual report reveals. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• New Year Other
• 2023-05-09 Publication

Why: The report author cautioned, however, that because of the requirement that oaths be taken and witnesses be cross-examined: "The experience of all parties is that hearings are taking longer than would be anticipated. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report