Exploitation of foreign workers to be reported

UNIONS representing construction workers are to report rogue sub-contractors in Cork to Government agencies after receiving more than 50 complaints from foreign workers who say they are being exploited and underpaid.

They say they are getting less than half the hourly rate paid to their Irish counterparts.

Martin Leahy, chairman of the Cork Building Group (CBG) an umbrella body representing electricians, plumber, plasterers, carpenters etc said they had identified cases where eastern European workers were being exploited.

"We have been inundated with complaints from non-nationals about companies paying them a little as €7 or €8 per hour compared to the average here of €15 an hour. The proper rate is between €14.26 and €18 per hour," he said.

He said they were also considering picketing sites where rogue sub-contractors were employing cheap labour. Many of those who have made complaints come from Poland, the Czech Republic or Lithuania.

"We will be making formal complaints to the departments and the Health and Safety Authority," Mr Leahy said.

He said in several cases the foreigners were not paying tax or PRSI and some were not even being given 'Safe Pass' courses, which are obligatory under Health and Safety Authority (HSA) legislation.

Mr Leahy, a branch secretary with SIPTU, said that unions were "going into dispute position" with rogue contractors.

"One Polish lad was being paid 7 an hour and his digs had to come out of that. He didn't have the Safe Pass and when HSA officials came to the site he was put hiding in an attic," the union official claimed.

Construction Industry Federation executive officer in Cork Conor O'Connell said his members were concerned about rogue contractors undercutting them.

"People who are paying beneath agreed rates are undermining our members who do agree with the agreed industry rate," Mr O'Connell said.