WRC dismisses plasterer’s pay complaint after finding he was self-employed

The WRC found that Eduard Ignatiuc was a self-employed contractor and could not use the Payment of Wages Act to pursue his claim against Conor Prunty. The decision was dated 2 September 2022. Ignatiuc said he had worked as a plasterer, with an agreed rate of €25 an hour later reduced to €22, and that he had not been paid for his final two weeks. He confirmed in evidence that he was self-employed, and Revenue documentation supported that status. The adjudication officer found he was not an employee covered by the Act. Prunty did not attend the hearing. The decision therefore turned on Ignatiuc’s employment status; the merits of the pay claim were not decided.