DIER recovered €1.5 million in unpaid wages last year
Workers' rights watchdog conducted 1,000 investigations
The workers’ rights watchdog managed to recover almost €1.5 million in wages following its investigations last year.
On Thursday, the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER) released its 2025 annual report.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue Andy Ellul said the department conducted 1,000 investigations last year, from which €1.5 million was recovered in unpaid wages and payments. He added that 40,000 people used the department’s services in 2025.
He said enforcement, inspections and improvements in regulations mean that abuses are being addressed and the deterrent has been strengthened.
Ellul pointed out the government’s ambition is “to make a concrete difference in people’s lives, particularly in the world of work. As a government, we remain committed to strengthening social dialogue and ensuring that the labour market continues to evolve in a fair, inclusive and sustainable manner.”
The department has also issued 224 licences to employment agencies that collectively employ 20,000 workers.
The DIER is the government body responsible for regulating employment conditions, ensuring compliance with labour laws and promoting fair industrial relations between employers and employees.
It investigates complaints and also adjudicates cases via a tribunal.
On Thursday, Ellul said the department has also played an important part in recent reforms that have strengthened workers’ rights.
“Among these, the government introduced measures to ensure transparency in pay, we introduced paid leave in the event of miscarriage, and we launched a national reform on work–life balance to extend maternity, paternity and parental leave, as well as to broaden the concept of remote working,” he said.