Read the pay record, not just the total
DIER says employers must provide an itemised payslip by the date wages are due. Its guidance lists normal and overtime hours, the pay period, wage components and deductions among the required information. As a learning exercise, compare those entries with your own record of the work performed. If a figure is unclear, ask what period and calculation it represents before deciding whether the total is correct.
Turn a concern into a clear account
A useful workplace explanation answers four questions: what happened, when it happened, what the relevant record shows, and what clarification you need. For example, write down the dates and hours of a disputed shift and compare them with the corresponding payslip. Keep the original messages and documents. Do not replace missing evidence with a number remembered from an online discussion or from a different worker's situation.
Know where to ask for help
DIER investigates alleged breaches of employment law. Its claim guidance distinguishes reports about ongoing employment from outstanding dues following termination and asks for relevant documents. Check that page for the appropriate contact or attendance requirements for your situation. A report about an employment condition and a question about immigration permission may involve different authorities; describe the actual issue so it reaches the right service.
Work through a scenario
Your pay seems lower than expected after several extra shifts. What is a useful first explanation of the problem?
Read a reasoned answer
Compare the dated shift record with the payslip's normal hours, overtime entries and deductions. Ask for the calculation to be explained and retain the supporting records.
This identifies a checkable discrepancy without assuming every extra hour uses the same rate. If the issue remains unresolved, use DIER's current guidance for the relevant employment concern.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Checking only the final payment and overlooking the pay period, hours and deductions.
- Using a friend's wage or a memorised overtime rate as proof of your own entitlement.
- Making a complaint without the dates, documents or specific issue needed to explain it.
Check your understanding
Which is more useful when checking a pay discrepancy: a guessed total or the hours and itemised entries for the same pay period?
The hours and itemised entries for the same pay period.
They let you explain what differs and ask about the calculation. The correct entitlement still depends on the applicable employment rules.
Which official service's employment guidance should you consult for a concern about unpaid wages?
The Department for Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER).
Check its claim guidance for the route that fits the circumstances and the documents to bring.
Sources for this study guide
Sources reviewed 24 October 2026. Check the official guidance for your own circumstances.
Independent study resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Malta, Identità, ITS or Skills Pass.