The government has named businesses that underpaid some staff the minimum wage.
The official list includes Northern Ireland businesses, horse racing trainers Alan King and Lucinda Russell, and retailer B&Q.
Those named will have to repay the money owed to employees.
Separately, official figures suggest that wages are trailing inflation.
That is an economic warning sign.
Prices are increasing at a faster rate than earnings, leaving workers with lower real incomes.
The government list and the pay data both point to financial strain for workers.
Officials said fresh action would follow for employers that underpaid workers.