What should I do if my salary is not paid by the temporary employment agency?

The first step is to send a formal notice demanding payment of the outstanding amounts. It is essential to contact a union or a labour consultant to initiate a debt collection process and, if necessary, a conciliation procedure. The law establishes that the employer, in this case the agency, is solely responsible for payment, regardless of any commercial relationships with the client company.

Can the agency justify non-payment due to a lack of funds from the client company?

No, this justification is not legally valid. The temporary employment contract establishes a direct link between the agency and the worker. Failures in payment between the agency and the client company are commercial matters that must not affect the worker, who has the right to receive remuneration for the work performed according to the established contractual terms.

Which documents should I keep to protect myself?

It is necessary to keep the signed temporary employment contract, any extension letters, signed timesheets, and any written communication or email sent to the agency regarding the missed payments. These documents constitute the necessary evidentiary basis for any legal or union action aimed at recovering unpaid wages.

Unpaid wages: the Nidil Cgil Varese case (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 28 May 2026

A worker is still waiting for payment for eleven days of work in April. Nidil Cgil Varese denounces the precarious nature of temporary employment contracts.

Context

In brief

Worker remains unpaid despite a regular contract.
Payment issues began in February 2026.
Eleven days worked in April remain unpaid.
Nidil Cgil Varese disputes the agency's justification.

What: Failure to pay due wages.
When: February 2026 - April 2026.
Where: Varese and the agency's area of operation.
Who: Nidil Cgil Varese.
Amount: Not yet specified.

…

Operational details

Contractual Responsibility in Temporary Work

The defense of the temporary agency, which justified the non-payment by citing the lack of receipt of economic compensation from the client company, was firmly rejected by Nidil Cgil Varese. According to the union, the employment relationship is binding exclusively between the agency, as employer, and the worker, as service provider. The worker must not and cannot suffer the consequences of any commercial defaults between the temporary agency and the final user company. This principle is fundamental for anyone working in precarious or temporary employment contexts, as it clearly establishes that the right to payment is independent of agreements between third parties. For a worker, the payroll slip is the document that certifies the earned credit. In case of delays or non-payment, it is essential to act promptly to protect one's economic interests. The correct procedure involves first a formal notice, an act necessary to interrupt the prescription periods and prompt payment within a short timeframe. In this case, the union acted as a mediator, but if the amicable negotiation does not yield the desired result, the legal protections provided by labor law are the only way to recover the owed amounts. It is important that workers always keep a record of every hour worked, preserving copies of contracts, extensions, and all communications exchanged with the agency. Check your payroll slip is a fundamental step to ensure that entitlements are calculated correctly and that there are no discrepancies between the hours actually worked and those paid. Precariousness, as highlighted by Marzia Pulvirenti, must not turn into a renunciation of basic rights. Often, the fear of losing the opportunity to work pushes employees to tolerate…

Key points

How to protect yourself in case of unpaid wages

For workers facing uncertainty regarding their pay, the first step is to accurately document every stage of the employment relationship. Keeping your contract, any extensions, and timesheets is essential to prove your right to compensation in the event of a dispute. If the agency fails to pay what is owed within the contractual terms, it is necessary to reach out to support structures such as trade unions, which can initiate conciliation procedures or provide legal assistance. Timeliness is a critical factor: waiting months before reporting irregularities can make recovering your credit more difficult. In the case reported by Nidil Cgil Varese, the agency continued to operate in the market despite its defaults, which suggests that collective pressure and public reporting can be effective tools for holding defaulting parties accountable. For cross-border or resident workers operating in similar contexts, it is advisable to regularly check your bank statement and compare it with the hours actually worked. Using simulation tools can help you better understand what is owed and identify anomalies. When dealing with fixed-term or temporary agency contracts, vigilance must be at its highest. If the agency offers excuses related to non-payment by the client company, it is important to reiterate that the responsibility for paying wages lies solely with the formal employer. Refusing to accept justifications that shift business risk onto the worker is a fundamental act of defense. For those wishing to monitor their economic situation and prevent issues related to remuneration, the salary calculator can offer a clear and transparent estimate of what to expect. Calculate your net salary to always have a reliable point of comparison…

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my salary is not paid by the temporary employment agency?: The first step is to send a formal notice demanding payment of the outstanding amounts. It is essential to contact a union or a labour consultant to initiate a debt collection process and, if necessary, a conciliation procedure. The law establishes that the employer, in this case the agency, is solely responsible for payment, regardless of any commercial relationships with the client company.
Can the agency justify non-payment due to a lack of funds from the client company?: No, this justification is not legally valid. The temporary employment contract establishes a direct link between the agency and the worker. Failures in payment between the agency and the client company are commercial matters that must not affect the worker, who has the right to receive remuneration for the work performed according to the established contractual terms.
Which documents should I keep to protect myself?: It is necessary to keep the signed temporary employment contract, any extension letters, signed timesheets, and any written communication or email sent to the agency regarding the missed payments. These documents constitute the necessary evidentiary basis for any legal or union action aimed at recovering unpaid wages.