Martin orders fresh probe into road firm accused of abusing workers

THE Turkish builders of the Ballincollig and Ennis bypasses, accused yesterday of serious abuse of migrant workers, have been cleared of wrongdoing in previous investigations into its employment practices.

Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin last night ordered his department to again look into GAMA Construction Ireland Ltd after Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins said the company was operating a modern version of bonded labour.

The minister also wrote to Mr Higgins telling him to bring any evidence of abuse to his department's attention and inviting the TD to meet with officials.

Accusations of abuse of its workers have been directed against the company since 2003, but investigations by the Labour Inspectorate of the department found the complaints to be without substance.

During her time as Minister for Enterprise, Tánaiste Mary Harney responded to previous claims by pointing out that inspectors found no evidence of exploitation.

The multinational construction company holds 957 work permits from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, with the majority of these workers coming from Turkey.

Apart from the Ballincollig and Ennis projects, worth around €250 million, the company has been awarded a substantial number of public sector contracts.

Yesterday in the Dáil, Mr Higgins asked the Taoiseach to ensure an investigation was launched and listed off a range of allegations against the company:

That it operates a modern version of bonded labour.

That it controls workers' passports and work permits.

That it houses workers in barracks.

That it demands excessive work hours.

That it pays unskilled workers €2 to €3 an hour.

That it pays skilled workers €3 an hour.

"This is a scandal, financed by extraordinary public funding," he said.

But Mr Ahern said every worker was entitled to the full protection of the law and was to be paid the minimum wage.

"The inspectorate of the department have full powers and rigours of the law to investigate breaches," he said.

Last night, a spokesperson for GAMA Construction Ireland was unavailable for comment.