WRC: 42% of inspected agri workplaces breached employment law (2025)

42% of agricultural workplaces inspected by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in 2024 were found in breach of employment law.

The WRC annual report published today (Thursday, April 24) shows that out of a total of 50 agricultural employers inspected during 2024, 21 were in breach of employment law.

The commission stated that it recovered a total of €55,711 in unpaid wages for employees in the sector as a result of these inspections.

In 2023, there were 39 employers in the agriculture sector inspected with 56% or 22 found to be in breach of employment law.

Inspections

The report also showed there were 10 cases in 2024 involving meat processing employers, with 4 found to be in breach of employment law.

As a result of the inspections, €19,932 in outstanding wages was recovered for employees.

Last year, there were 12 cases involving veterinary and animal health services with two cases deemed to be non-compliant with employment legislation.

Four out of the six equine workplaces inspected were deemed to have non-compliances, with over €95,000 in unpaid wages recovered.

The report also noted that the WRC carried out inspections as part of the EMPACT 2024 joint action days against labour exploitation in the agriculture in October.

The inspections took place throughout Ireland on employers operating within the fishing and agricultural sectors including forestry, fruit and vegetable farms and livestock farms.

Overall, a total of 64 unannounced inspections were undertaken and 27 of the employers inspected had employment law breaches.

The WRC said that there were a total of 32 contraventions of employment legislation detected.

WRC

The WRC annual report shows there was a total of 5,156 inspections were completed across all sectors in 2024 with €2.15 million recovered in unpaid wages. Successful prosecutions were up 27% on 2023.

The WRC saw an increase of 6% in adjudication hearings offered in 2024 compared to 2023. In total, 9,054 adjudication files were offered a hearing in 2024, an average of 180 per week.

The WRC pre-adjudication mediation service delivered a total of 894 mediations in 2024, which is a 14% increase compared to 2023.

Over 59,400 callers were helped by the commission’s information and customer service staff providing information on employment, equality, or industrial relations matters.

While there were over 4.3 million page views of the WRC’s website.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, said that the report highlights the WRC’s “strong delivery” across all services provided to the public.

“The WRC plays a leading role in contributing to the harmonious industrial relations climate we enjoy, with data for conciliation services showing an 85% success rate.

“Strong and well-functioning industrial relations institutions are an important and very valued element of our economy, supporting and promoting fair wages, particularly in low paid sectors.

“Collectively bargained agreements also play a positive role in increasing productivity for businesses,” he said.