Mr Dongming Hou, who worked over 50 hours per week for Cork-based Buildify Construction and Technology Limited, brought the complaint against his employer with the support of the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland.

In a decision issued on 30 June 2026 by adjudication officer Thomas O’Driscoll, it was determined that Mr Hou was significantly underpaid throughout his employment. The decision awarded monies to the worker for violations to the National Minimum Wage Act and the Organisation of Working Time Act. 

Mr Hou was recruited to work as construction engineer and promised an employment permit. His contract stated that he would work from 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. However, evidence before the WRC showed that he worked an average of 56.76 hours per week while receiving a fixed monthly salary of €1,600 – equating to less than €7 per hour.

Mr Hou was told that his salary would be increased to the market rate after successfully completing a three-month probationary period. Despite remaining in employment for approximately eight months, his salary was never reviewed. In March 2025, he was dismissed by text message and was subsequently instructed to vacate employer-provided accommodation.

MRCI’s worker rights organiser, Pretty Ndawo, said: “We welcome the WRC’s decision recognising the serious underpayment and breaches of employment law Mr Hou endured. His case reflects the experiences of many migrant workers who are recruited with promises of employment permits but instead find themselves in exploitative working conditions. This places migrant workers in a particularly vulnerable position especially those with limited information and access to the WRC.

“The plight of migrant workers in Ireland who depend on employers to maintain their immigration status perpetuates an ongoing pattern and vicious cycle of mistreatment and exploitation at the hands of their employer. MRCI notes that the employer did not participate in the WRC proceedings. This can be viewed as an attempt to evade legal consequences. We also understand that an application has been made to dissolve the company, raising concerns about whether Mr Hou will be able to recover the compensation awarded.”