WRC finds against plumber’s mate in race and age pay claims

The Workplace Relations Commission found against Teodor Dragomir in five complaints that B-Pods (Ireland) Limited discriminated against him in pay on race or nationality and age grounds. The WRC Decision was dated 6 January 2026. Dragomir, a Romanian plumber’s mate at the Co Mayo company, argued that his qualifications and experience entitled him to the pay of Irish plumbers. The WRC found his evidence did not establish like work with a construction-sector plumber. It also found that internal comparators performed higher-value work, including planning pods before production; one had supervisory duties. The age complaint lacked evidence and a comparator. The WRC ruled all five remaining complaints, including indirect discrimination claims, not well founded. It recorded no award. He had withdrawn his other complaints, including those concerning family status, promotion, training, victimisation, harassment and annual leave.