DIER flags ‘widespread’ irregularities in TCN-dependent sectors

The Department for Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER) has flagged “widespread” employment irregularities in sectors that rely on foreign workers.

In its 2025 annual report, the DIER singled out couriers as workers facing a “widespread” lack of compliance with employment laws. This was evident in a number of cases concluded in 2025 but which had first arisen in 2024.

Among the abuses identified were employers’ failure to pay COLA allowances, workers earning below the minimum wage, non-payment of overtime and government bonuses, and unjustified wage deductions.

Food couriers also saw discrepancies between net pay and proof of payment, failure to provide a weekly rest day or to apply the special rates when working during rest days, lack of sick leave payments, and shortcomings in leave entitlements.

According to the report, the food courier industry wasn’t the only industry dependent on third-country nationals (TCNs) that saw irregularities.

DIER handled cases of unpaid wages, failure to pay entitlements related to injury or sick

leave, missing or incorrect payslips, as well as the absence of formal employment contracts. These issues were described as “particularly prevalent” in the construction, care, hospitality, and cleansing sectors, as well as in employment agencies.

The department’s annual report also singled out employees working in hotels, noting that DIER carried out widespread inspections in the sector, with a particular focus on workers employed by employment agencies and other vulnerable workers.

DIER interviewed 77 employees in the hotel sector, noting that around half of them were employed by 15 temping agencies, and that the employees are from 20 different countries.

Of the 77 cases, three employees were found to be working without an employment contract. DIER also found 10 cases of employees being underpaid during public holidays, and another 10 instances of workers being paid below the minimum wage.

In three cases, workers’ uniforms were being deducted from their pay check.

DIER noted however, that the hotel industry confirmed that many employers operate according to the law.

Unpaid dues account for 55% of all irregularities reported to DIER

According to DIER’s annual report, 625 out of 1,906 reported irregularities concerning wages, while another 320 cases concerned employees’ bonuses and weekly allowances.  

Meanwhile, 112 cases concerned overtime issues.

The report noted that 366 reports on annual leave were made, while 235 reports concerned payslip issues.

€1,390,000 in due salaries awarded to employees

Furthermore, DIER’s annual report delved into its overall work in 2025, including investigations carried out throughout the year and closed cases that might have begun in previous years.

In 2025, the department closed 727 cases through DIER’s mediation, while 1,058 investigations were opened.

Part of DIER’s work includes investigating cases of unpaid wages and ordering employers to reimburse their workers. In 2025, a total of €1,389,933.98 in unpaid wages was rewarded to employers after DIER intervened.