The Labour Court overturned an earlier decision and awarded chef Shahid Ali €8,833.20 in wage arrears after finding he had been paid below the statutory minimum. The determination was signed on 21 August 2008. A later correction amended the employer’s name to Mujahid Pervaz trading as Pepper N Spice.
Ali worked at the Pepper and Spice Restaurant in Carrickmacross. The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union (SIPTU), which represented him, said he had received less than the minimum wage and had not been given a written statement of his hourly rate. The Rights Commissioner had not found in Ali’s favour. The employer did not attend the Labour Court hearing. On the uncontested evidence, the Court found Ali had worked at least 48 hours a week for 31 weeks at €7.65 an hour, earning €11,383.20. He had received €2,550. The Court awarded the difference, €8,833.20, in arrears of earnings.