Unions demand ‘level playing field’ on wages

UNIONS will demand a crack-down today on rogue developers who are flouting agreed industry pay rates by paying foreign workers as little as €8 an hour.

The Cork Building Group of Unions, an umbrella group representing 20,000 electricians, plumbers, carpenters and plasters across Munster, said the pay abuse is keeping hundreds of Irish labourers out of work.

They have gathered evidence, including wage slips, which show the abuse is wide-spread, union secretary Billy Curtin said.