Payback: workers to sue Gama

CONTROVERSIAL construction firm Gama is facing a class action lawsuit in Turkey as more than 80 former workers prepare to sue for being underpaid while working in Ireland.

A number of workers still in Ireland are understood to be pursuing separate claims against the company in the Labour Court here.

The Irish Examiner has confirmed that two Turkish lawyers are recruiting former Gama workers and preparing a large-scale case against the company through the Turkish courts.

The lawyers have recruited more than 80 workers who were employed on the firm’s Irish projects.

The action relates to unpaid overtime, with many Gama workers reporting working up to 80 hours a week but being paid for half that amount.

It is understood that the lawyers - Ibrahim Hamrcu and Fatih Algul - have obtained Gama time sheets to back up their case.

Both are confident of securing additional payments for their clients to compensate for underpaid work.

Those taking the case did not receive compensation under a Labour Court deal in May when 80 workers received an average settlement of €13,000.

Instead, they form part of a much larger group of more than 400 who left Ireland before the Labour Court settlement amid allegations of intimidation and harassment by Gama.

Apart from court settlements, most of Gama’s Irish workers received windfalls in April when millions in lost wages belonging to them were uncovered in a Dutch bank account.

The wages had been deposited in the Amsterdam-based Finansbank by Gama before being transferred to Ryder Investments without the workers’ knowledge.

Upon discovery of the funds, more than 500 Gama workers occupied sites around Ireland, sparking a series of protests over migrant labour abuse.

Championed by Socialist Party leader Joe Higgins, the workers ceased their protests after two months when the Labour Court ruling was made.

Gama, though, continues to win lucrative State contracts, including the Castleblaney bypass in Monaghan, awarded in August.

Mr Higgins said yesterday: “We will continue to support the Gama workers, including those who went back, to get justice and compensation for their overtime.”

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is due to rule on whether a Labour Inspectorate report into Gama can be published.

Gama obtained a High Court injunction preventing publication of the report, which is critical of the firm and backs up allegations of underpayment.