Tyrone companies 'named and shamed' over minimum wage

by Gráinne Connolly

Two Tyrone companies have been 'named and shamed' by the government for failing to pay the national minimum or living wage. 

According to HMRC, Boran-Mopak Limited  of Strabane has failed to pay almost £7000 to one worker.

Q Radio contacted the company which issued the following statement: 

"Boran Mopak took on an apprentice who attended a local college. In order for the person to continue his course he required a placement and the company was happy facilitate this. 

The apprentice was being paid the apprentice hourly rate in line with HMRC NMW guidelines. 

Following the end of the apprenticeship after the apprentice left the company it came to the company's attentions that the course the apprentice was undertaking wasn't a qualifying scheme. 

The company was never informed of this by the apprentice or his college.

As soon as the company was made aware of this, they paid the underpayment amount to the individual involved."

Meanwhile, Muldoon Trasnport Systems from Dungannon has also failed to pay 7 workers almost £1500.  

Q Radio also contacted the company and they stated: 

"During a routine employers visit some discrepancies were discovered relating to 7 of our employees. 

These discrepancies were unintentional and immediately rectified.

Muldoon Transport Systems is a long-standing employer in manufacturing in Northern Ireland and believes its success is due to the support and loyalty it gives to and gets from its employees. We have since implemented stringent checks within our HR department to ensure this does not happen in the future."