Dairygold accused of favouring cheap foreign labour

FOOD giant Dairygold was accused last night of favouring cheap foreign labour over Irish workers.

Local public representatives claimed that the company hired up to eight Polish nationals within the last week to work in its Galtee foods plant in Mitchlestown, Co Cork, without giving Irish workers the chance to apply for the positions.

Fianna Fáil TD Ned O’Keeffe criticised the company for the “Irish Ferries-style” move.

The company strongly rejected the claims.“Local people are up in arms about this. They feel very aggrieved,” said Mr O’Keeffe. “Locals have applications and CVs in with the company and they were not given a chance to get these jobs. It’s about giving people equal opportunity. The jobs should have been advertised.”

It is understood the company received a flood of orders and was under pressure to meet those demands. The Poles were employed last week to work in the company’s packing, cutting and slicing section of its meat division. But Mr O’Keeffe said it was “grossly unfair” that Irish people weren’t considered for the jobs first. “It’s Irish consumers who buy Dairygold products and Irish people should be offered the chance of these jobs.”

The company defended its decision to hire the Polish nationals.

A spokesman said none are involved in slaughtering operations where there have been redundancies in the past.

“Galtee has a long tradition of equal opportunities employment which has seen the business embrace many non-nationals over the last 10 years,” he said.

Brazilians, Russians and Lithuanians have all been employed at various times. He said the eight Poles taken on recently were experienced workers who could “hit the ground running.”

He also denied claims they were working for less than Irish workers.

“The business has a remuneration policy which treats all employees equally irrespective of nationality,” he said.

“Galtee reviews all submitted CVs and determines suitability based on skills and experience.

“The company is happy to consider the CVs submitted by anybody wishing to work at the plant.”