Firms face probe over ‘lower-paid’ non-nationals
Labour Court summons have been issued to a number of firms following a series of complaints to the south-east branch of the SIPTU union.
The companies were investigated by labour inspectors who have since issued summons to the offending employers.
SIPTU’s Davy Lane says several unscrupulous employers have been under-paying Eastern European staff in particular.
And he says there have been complaints that Irish staff are being turned away in favour of lower-paid non-national staff.
“Exploitation is now the name of the game,” he said in an interview with local radio station, WLR FM yesterday.
“We have agreed rates for the industry but people are being displaced because if they don’t accept the rate on offer - which is not the rate for the industry - they are being let go.
“The minimum rate for the construction industry now is €13.
“But we have people on construction sites who are being paid €7 and €8,” Mr Lane said.
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF), the umbrella organisation for the construction sector, says it has no knowledge of any alleged under-payment of staff.
However CIF Munster boss Joe O’Brien said if any of its members were found to be guilty of such an offence, their membership would be referred to its disciplinary sub-committee.
“There is a registered agreement on pay for the sector and all staff are obliged to be paid whatever the current rate is, irrespective of who they are and what nationality they are. We have had no complaints from the Waterford area.
“We would certainly investigate this, were the people involved members of our organisation.
“If an employee feels they are being under-paid, they should contact the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment which would have its labour inspectorate look at it. If the employer is a member of our organisation, they could also contact us,” Mr O’Brien said.
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