Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I do not have information to hand on the reporting by employees of a fewer number of hours than they worked. I have a concern regarding the wage levels paid to some foreign workers who do piece-work. There has been some evidence in the past 12 months of foreign workers in some sectors not being paid the minimum wage because they work long hours on a piece-work basis. I refer in particular to workers in the mushroom picking industry. I take this opportunity to point out to employers in that industry that where we have evidence of workers being exploited due to working long hours on a piece-work basis and the type of work in which they are engaged not being conducive to their earning the levels of pay that should be paid — there is evidence that some foreign workers are not being adequately paid — we will pursue those employers vigorously and take them to court if necessary.

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