I Have Not Been Paid
Step-by-step guidance if your employer has not paid your wages on time or in full, including what to do now and what ILSI can do to help.
Not being paid on time, or being paid less than your contract says, is one of the most common problems migrant workers face. You have a right to be paid for the work you have done. This page tells you what to do.
What to do now
- Write down the dates you worked and the amount you were paid, or not paid, for each period.
- Keep any payslips, bank records, or messages from your employer about pay — do not delete anything.
- Ask your employer, calmly and in writing if possible (text message or email), when you will be paid.
- If you get no answer or no payment within a few days, call the ILSI helpline for your country and open a case.
- Keep working unless it is unsafe to do so — leaving your job without following the correct process can weaken your position and your visa status in some countries.
What not to do
- Do not sign any document you do not understand, especially one that says you have been paid in full.
- Do not threaten your employer or take matters into your own hands — this can be used against you later.
- Do not leave the country before your case is resolved unless ILSI or a lawyer advises you it is safe to do so.
What ILSI can do
ILSI caseworkers can contact your employer on your behalf, help you file a formal wage complaint with the local labour authority, and refer you to a vetted lawyer if the case needs formal legal action — see find a lawyer. If your recruiter charged you an illegal fee connected to this job, also see report a recruiter.
If you are worried about losing your job
It is a common and understandable fear that raising an unpaid wage problem will get you dismissed or sent home. In most destination countries, dismissing or threatening a worker specifically for raising a lawful wage complaint is itself against the law. Tell ILSI if your employer threatens this — it is important information for your case and, in serious situations, may itself be reportable to local labour authorities.
How long a wage case can take
Some unpaid wage cases resolve within days once ILSI contacts an employer directly. Others, especially those that go to a formal labour authority complaint, can take weeks or months. Your caseworker will tell you honestly which situation applies to your case and keep you updated as it progresses.