Gama workers to call for action on ‘lost’ pay

HUNDREDS of Gama workers will today stop work and march in protest against the company following revelations that millions in lost wages is being held in previously unknown Dutch bank accounts.

The discovery of the accounts in Amsterdam last week prompted more than a quarter of the company’s Turkish workforce to gather in Dublin yesterday to form a new representative group called the Turkish Workers Action Group (TWAG).

Upon formation of the group, the more than 250 angry workers attending yesterday’s meeting immediately voted overwhelmingly in favour of ceasing work at 10am this morning.

In an unprecedented move, workers who until now have been afraid to identify themselves publicly agreed unanimously that all Gama workers in Dublin will gather at the GPO in Dublin before holding a public meeting to demand their money and rights.

In addition, TWAG agreed that all 800 Gama workers from around the country would converge on the GPO on Tuesday before holding a second public meeting to demand action.

Despite being critical of union inaction to date, the group also agreed to seek the support of all construction unions before today’s protest.

Socialist Party leader Joe Higgins, who uncovered the Dutch accounts in Finansbank after he flew four former Gama workers to Amsterdam last week, said this week’s protests would demand that Gama inform every worker within three days of how much money has been deposited in Amsterdam in their names.

The workers will also call for details of a mysterious third company called Ryder Investments into which their Dutch funds were being transferred.

Finansbank, which has opened thousands of accounts in the name of past and present Gama workers since 2002, last week said it was unaware employees did not know of the accounts.

The bank admitted that no statements had ever been sent to any workers and confirmed that since the accounts were set up at the behest of Gama, no worker had ever contacted the bank in relation to his account.

While insisting it was acting on written instructions from the workers, the bank has agreed to assist any workers who wish to transfer their funds to another account.

Mr Higgins said he was delighted at yesterday’s development. “For the first time in Ireland, Turkish workers have found their voice. They will keep using it now until they get justice,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gama is seeking to prevent the publication of a Government report into Mr Higgins’ allegations of the abuse of migrant workers at Gama.

The company successfully sought an injunction against publication of the report on Friday pending further High Court hearings this week. However, it is understood the Government will defend its report, which calls for further investigations, and seek to publish it as soon as possible.

In the meantime, a Government freeze on Gama’s work permits remains in place.