Probe into 'exploitation' of South African seat-belt fitters

Labour inspectors today launched a probe into claims 19 South African workers were being paid only €2.80 an hour to fit seat-belts on Bus Eireann coaches.

In another alleged incident of migrant worker exploitation, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is investigating allegations employees were not have not given pay-slips or paid for overtime.

It has also been claimed Polish people directly employed by Irish firm Transport Component Distributors are paid €10 per hour for doing the exact same work as the South Africans.

The controversy involves workers employed by South African company Proseat, sub-contracted by TCD, and brought to Ireland to fit belts in school buses as part of a Government contract.

A team of inspectors visited the firm and workers today.

It bears a striking resemblance to the Gama Construction scandal which left hundreds of Turkish workers out of pocket after management underpaid them.

Arthur Morgan, Sinn Féin spokesman on workers rights who helped highlight the alleged exploitation, said any company breaching laws should be treated harshly.

“This is a very serious case and is all the more worrying given it involves a state company,” said the Sinn Féin TD.

In a statement Bus Eireann said it was company policy to only deal with contractors compliant with all aspects of employment law – both staff directly employed by the firm and any staff subcontracted.

Bus Eireann said: “Should it emerge that there has been a breach of contract in respect of any of these issues, Bus Eireann will immediately instigate a process to rescind the contract.”

The company added that a declaration had been signed stipulating all statutory requirements on pay and conditions would be met.

SIPTU said if the allegations are substantiated Bus Eireann are in breach of a 2002 agreement with trade unions to uphold workers’ rights.

Michael Halpenny, SIPTU national organiser, has asked for an urgent meeting with Bus Eireann management to discuss the controversy.

“We want immediate and detailed confirmation from Bus Eireann that the main contractor – Transport Component Distributors – and the sub-contractor engaged to carry out this work, are fully compliant with all aspects of that agreement,” said Mr Halpenny.

“In the event they are not, then Bus Eireann must take the necessary steps to ensure full compliance.

“The ultimate responsibility for ensuring compliance with both the agreement and employment law lies with Bus Eireann.”

Mr Morgan added it was not good enough for Bus Eireann or Irish firm Transport Components to say that they do not know the detail because they are not the direct employers. He said both firms had a duty of care to the men.

“It’s vital that employers, who are flouting the law, get the message that labour laws have to be fully implemented without exception. Any employer in breach of labour law should receive heavy penalties and be told very clearly that they will no longer be used for state contracts,” Mr Morgan said.