Higgins urges law to protect workers

SOCIALIST Party leader Joe Higgins yesterday called on the Government to bring forward new legislation to ensure the rights of workers can be protected.

After the High Court this week ruled that Government labour inspectors had acted beyond their powers in preparing a report for publication on controversial Turkish construction firm Gama, Deputy Higgins said a new mechanism was needed to ensure employees were protected. Speaking during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil yesterday, Deputy Higgins said companies like Gama could engage the most expensive legal teams available to help them avoid their responsibilities.

“Is the Tánaiste incredulous that the labour laws allow ruthless exploiters of workers, whether Irish or migrant workers, to hide behind the courts and the laws of this land in having shameful truths suppressed?