Full list of 23 Northern Irish companies named and shamed by Government for failing to pay minimum wage

The Northern Irish companies are among 389 employers from across the UK named for failing to pay workers the minimum wage to tens of thousands of workers.

Twenty-three Northern Irish companies have been ‘named and shamed’ by the UK Government for failing to pay their staff the minimum wage.

The findings come alongside enforcement action against businesses failing to pay their staff the legal National Minimum Wage, making clear that workers won’t be made to pay for the mistakes or negligence of those they work for, regardless of how big or well-known they are.

New figures show a total of around £12.6 million in penalties have been issued to 389 employers, with these fines coming on top of the repaid wages.

In total, 2,240 employees at Northern Irish-based companies were underpaid a total of £157,695.53.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: “The vast majority of businesses in this country do the right thing by paying their staff properly and playing by the rules. It’s not fair on them when others are able to get ahead by not paying the wages their workers are owed.

“A good employer doesn’t build their business on the back of unpaid wages, and I look forward to working with the new Fair Work Agency to ensure its powers are used to crack down on those who think the rules don’t apply to them.”

This is the first ‘naming round’ since the Chancellor’s Budget commitment to publish more frequently, putting more pressure on employers to keep their payroll up to date and boosting workers’ confidence that when they’re treated poorly by their boss, swift justice will follow.

Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden said: “Nobody should finish a week’s work and find they’ve been paid less than they’ve earned. I believe in a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.

“That’s why we’re cracking down on employers who underpay. We’re making sure workers get the hard earned pay they deserve.

“I encourage every employer to check their payroll to ensure they don’t get caught out.”

This is also the final naming round before the Fair Work Agency begins its work on 7 April, a brand-new enforcement body formed through the recently passed Employment Rights Act to bring workers’ rights enforcement under one roof for the first time.

Offering a single, streamlined place where employers will be able to get guidance on how to follow the rules, the Fair Work Agency will have more muscle to ensure that workers across the country get every penny they are owed.

This not only includes enforcing payment of the minimum wage but is soon set to tackle those who break the law by denying holiday and sick pay.

Today’s announcement also comes ahead of further increases to the minimum wage, which will see the lowest earners over 21 years old receive an annual pay boost of £900 for those working full time. Coming alongside the decision to extend Statutory Sick Pay to 3 million more workers, freeze the 5p fuel duty cut and cap energy prices so that households save £117 on their bills next month.

Full list of NI companies named and shamed

• Omniplex Holdings (NI) Limited, Lisburn, BT28, failed to pay £43,611.37 to 973 workers
• Stix & Stones (NI) Ltd, Belfast, BT1, failed to pay £3,546.29 to 38 workers.
• Belmont Hospitality Limited, Banbridge, BT32, failed to pay £3,148.25 to 30 workers.
• K Magill and Co Ltd, Dungannon, BT70, failed to pay £2,198.45 to 1 worker.
• Clinker Pubs Limited, Belfast, BT5, failed to pay £1,662.99 to 6 workers.
• Botanic Way Limited, Belfast, BT7, failed to pay £1,326.70 to 36 workers.
• Marlborough Engineering Limited, Belfast, BT3, failed to pay £1,129.82 to 1 worker.
• J.D. McGeown Limited, Belfast, BT9, failed to pay £1,015.02 to 3 workers.
• Margaret Forbes Ltd, Belfast, BT1, failed to pay £982.72 to 2 workers
• Mrs Fiona Loughran, Mrs Denise McCann and Mr B McCann, Belfast, BT9, failed to pay £920.38 to 16 workers.
• Kamakura Sushi & Ramen Limited, Belfast, BT7, failed to pay £818.19 to 25 workers.
• Mr Tony Cheuk and Mr Peter Cheuk, Coleraine, BT52, failed to pay £808.60 to 16 workers.
• Northside Graphics Limited, Belfast, BT3, failed to pay £753.24 to 4 workers.
• Blethers (N.I.) Ltd, Belfast, BT6, failed to pay £559.02 to 6 workers.
• Millars Fish N Chips Limited, Newtownards, BT23, failed to pay £522.11 to 13 workers.
• P.G. McGillion (Motors) Limited, Strabane, BT82, failed to pay £4,363.05 to 6 workers.
• Clear Healthcare, Belfast, BT3, failed to pay £5,295.45 to 33 workers.
• The Ballykelly Group Ltd, Banbridge, BT32, failed to pay £5,630.96 to 15 workers.
• Over The Rainbow Childcare Limited, Belfast, BT9, failed to pay £6,393.71 to 75 workers.
• North Down (Belfast) Limited, Belfast, BT11, failed to pay £7,179.60 to 21 workers.
• Garlor Limited, Belfast, BT8, failed to pay £7,288.03 to 527 workers.
• Dale Farm Cooperative Ltd, Belfast, BT3, failed to pay £15,773.25 to 96 workers.
• Linden Foods, Dungannon, BT70, failed to pay £38,987.87 to 296 workers.

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