The right to back payment of wages and/or compensation is one of the most important provisions to protect non-EU workers from exploitation and abuse. This includes those in an irregular situation. Non-EU workers are particularly vulnerable to wage abuses. They may experience delayed payment, underpayment, withholding of wages and unlawful deduction of wages, non-payment of wages and repatriation without receiving full wages. EU law contains a clear right to claim backpay and compensation for seasonal workers, posted workers, migrants with regular permits under the EU single permit directive and for non-EU workers in an irregular situation.
Workplace inspectors can help enforcing this right to backpay of wages and/or compensation in practice by: