Concern as workplace inspections fall

The number of checks to ensure workers are being treated fairly have almost halved in the last four years, it emerged today.

Despite growing concerns over exploitation of employees, in particular migrants, government figures show that just 3,811 inspections were carried out during the first 10 months of this year.

This compares with the 8,323 checks carried out by Labour Inspectors in 2002.

Brendan Howlin, Labour Party employment spokesman, said the figures showed the protection of workers was low on the Government’s list of priorities.

He insisted the promised 31 inspectors had to be put in place, while in the long run the number of posts should be increased.

The Wexford TD also called for significantly increased penalties for non-compliance with employment rules and regulations.

“Given the growth of the economy over the past dozen years, the consequent expansion in the labour force, the huge influx of foreign workers who are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, and the evidence of abuse of young workers, the drop in the number of workplace inspections is alarming,” he said.

“It demonstrates once again that the protection of workers is very low on the list of this Government’s priority.”

Trade union leaders have voiced concerns over the last few months that migrant workers are at risk of exploitation by unscrupulous employers.

And their worries were compounded earlier this year after it emerged that Turkish employees at Gama Construction were not being paid the full rate for overtime.

Meanwhile, Irish Ferries has been attacked over plans to lay off more than 500 Irish workers and replace them with cheaper foreign staff.

Mr Howlin revealed there were 7,168 labour inspections 2003 which fell back to 5,160 in 2004. He said the drop in the number of inspections was due to staff shortages in the Labour Inspectorate. He also said that figures provided in July showed only half of the 31 sanctioned posts in the watchdog had been filled.

“If the exploitation of workers is to be halted, it is essential that the Labour Inspectorate be properly resourced – indeed its workload is likely to increase significantly once the long-awaited Employment Permit Bill is enacted,” the Labour TD said.

“All of the promised 11 additional Labour Inspectors must be appointed without any further delay.”