Mechanic Wins €5,418 for Unpaid Wages: WRC Confirms Apprentice Status Doesn’t Excuse Minimum Wage Breach
When 20-year-old Moeez Ahmad stepped into a motor garage in Co. Wexford, he didn’t expect to work full-time without being paid. But after nearly three months on the job, he walked away empty-handed — until the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ruled in his favour.
Mr Ahmad, who started with Gorey Automotive Services in September 2024, was told he would be paid once he was registered as an apprentice. But registration never happened — and neither did any wages.
He worked from 9am to 6pm, five days a week, for 59 days. When he raised concerns, his employer claimed he was only entitled to an “apprentice rate” of €4.75 per hour — less than half the minimum wage of €11.43.
What the WRC Found
The WRC rejected the employer’s argument that the lower rate applied, noting that Mr Ahmad was never formally registered as an apprentice with Solas. The employer’s explanation that registration papers were “misdirected in the post” held no legal weight.
Adjudicator Kara Turner was clear: without formal apprentice registration, there was no lawful basis for paying less than the minimum wage.
“I can find no lawful basis to support the respondent’s position that an hourly pay rate of €4.75… was the properly payable rate,” she wrote.
Mr Ahmad was awarded €5,418 in unpaid wages under the Payment of Wages Act 1991.
Why This Matters
Too often, young or inexperienced workers are told they must “prove themselves” before getting paid or are offered cash-in-hand “trial periods.” This case is a powerful reminder that the law protects all workers, regardless of their experience level.
If you are working regular hours and not being paid — or being paid less than minimum wage — you may be entitled to back pay.
Know Your Rights:
- You are entitled to the national minimum wage, unless legally exempt (e.g., registered apprentices).
- Trial periods must still be paid.
- Employers cannot delay registration to avoid paying lawful wages.
- You have the right to make a complaint to the WRC if you’re not being paid properly.
📞 Need advice on unpaid wages or unfair treatment at work? Employment Matters is here to help.
