Foreign workers living in ‘work camps’

MIGRANT workers are being forced to live in Third World-type ‘work camps’ on construction sites, a builders’ union claimed yesterday.

The Building and Allied Trades’ Union (BATU) demanded an investigation by the Health and Safety Authority into the allegedly deplorable living and working conditions of foreign workers on specific sites in Dublin county and city.

The union’s deputy general secretary Denis Farrell claimed: “Reports suggest these workers may be corralled off from any outside intervention, reminiscent of multinational factory camps in Third World countries.”

However, the HSA rejected the union’s claims.

“An inspectors has already visited one of the sites and found the workers live in a location separate to the site,” the spokesperson said.

The union has, however, complained to the HSA about the conditions of workers being housed in temporary dwellings on building sites.

“It’s a growing practice, particularly on public projects in the Fingal and Dublin City Council areas,” Mr Farrell said.

“We are particularly concerned that workers, especially foreign workers brought in by major international companies to carry out public building contracts, may not be free to leave these sites after working hours.

“We are also concerned they have no access to trade union representation, advice on pay and terms and conditions of employment and are not being properly informed of their full rights and entitlements.

“We have seen how immigrant workers in other economic sectors have been treated and it hardly inspires confidence for workers to be in temporary housing on building sites, wherever they are coming from.

“We want to know where are the additional HSA inspectors to monitor the living and working conditions of these workers, the language services and statements of rights and protection of employment promised by the Government in its June 2001-published Action Plan to Expand Construction Capacity?”

The Government’s proposals included exemptions from work permits for foreign contractors bringing their own workers to undertake projects in Ireland and an exemption from planning permission for temporary accommodation for construction workers on or near sites.