My employer doesn't pay my wages — who do I contact?

Direct answer

Unpaid wages are the one dispute where waiting costs you: claims expire. Write to the employer with the amount and a short deadline, then contact DIER — Dipartiment għar-Relazzjonijiet Industrijali u tax-Xogħol (1575) — the body that enforces employment law in Malta; they can inspect and order payment. A union, Il-union tiegħek (GWU, UĦM) (gwu.org.mt), takes the case for members and often for new members too. If the employer is insolvent, Fond ta' Garanzija (DIER) pays the last months from a guarantee fund. Keep contracts, payslips and hours worked.

Call firstDIER — Dipartiment għar-Relazzjonijiet Industrijali u tax-Xogħol

Report toIl-union tiegħek (GWU, UĦM)

If that failsFond ta' Garanzija (DIER)

🗣️ What to say

"My wages for [month] of €… gross were due on [date] and have not been paid. I request payment within 7 days. If not, I will file with DIER — Dipartiment għar-Relazzjonijiet Industrijali u tax-Xogħol and claim interest and costs."

🪜 Step by step

Put it in writingAmount, period, due date, 7-day deadline. Keep every message about pay.
Gather proofContract, payslips, bank statements, your own record of hours and days worked, work chat messages.
Report to DIER — Dipartiment għar-Relazzjonijiet Industrijali u tax-XogħolComplaints are confidential; the inspectorate can visit and fine. It costs nothing.
Get Il-union tiegħek (GWU, UĦM) on your sideUnions know the collective agreement that may set a higher wage than your contract, and they represent you in court.
Insolvent employer? Fond ta' Garanzija (DIER)The wage guarantee fund pays a capped amount of unpaid wages when the company goes bust — apply quickly, deadlines are short.

📇 All contacts

DIER — Dipartiment għar-Relazzjonijiet Industrijali u tax-XogħolInvestigates and acts against employers, complaints onlineAs soon as wages are overdue📞 1575 🔗 dier.gov.mt/en/Pages/Complaints.aspx

Il-union tiegħek (GWU, UĦM)Legal aid and negotiation for membersFor members; you can join right away🔗 gwu.org.mt

Fond ta' Garanzija (DIER)Pays up to 13 weeks' wages in insolvencyThrough the liquidator🔗 dier.gov.mt/en/Employment-Conditions/Guarantee%20Fund/Pages/default.aspx

❓ Frequently asked

Can I stop working until I am paid?

In most countries yes, after a written warning, if the arrears are substantial — check with Il-union tiegħek (GWU, UĦM) first so it cannot be treated as abandonment.

I worked without a contract

You are still an employee. Messages, hours, colleagues and payments prove the relationship, and the inspectorate can enforce the minimum wage.

How long do I have?

Limitation periods are short — often one to three years, and collective agreements may cut it to months. Act now.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

“employer not paying wages Malta”
“labour inspectorate Malta”
“unpaid salary what to do”
“wage claim court”
“employer bankrupt wages”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

Your tools for Malta

Before it goes wrongCan I?What is allowed, what is not, which permit you need — with the official source.Energy · MaltaElectricity & gasThe rules that protect you as an electricity and gas customer in Malta, and who to contact. Every fact is checked on an official source.Recognise it firstIs dit veilig?Check a phone number, website or message against 47,000 scam dossiers.

💼 My employer doesn't pay my wages — who do I contact?