Workers exploited on State projects

Two events coincided yesterday to show that this society is made up of a series of parallel universes and that each is shaped by utterly different expectations.

While staff at subsidy-dependent Iarnród Éireann demanded pay rises of up to 25%, a High Court judge ruled that 27 Portugese workers who worked here on a road- building project were exploited in the most grievous way.

Mr Justice David Keane ruled the workers are entitled to damages of about €1.5m plus interest. The judge ruled that the defendants were not entitled to deduct €520 from wages each month for accommodation in a prefab, without drinking water, on a slip road on the N7 Nenagh-Limerick road project.

Poverty and desperation usually mean a worker is caught in a cruel take-it-or-leave-it bind and that they are vulnerable to ruthless employers. Sadly, history shows that there are always plenty of employers prepared to take advantage of those in a weak position. However, that workers are so exploited while involved in a public contract in this State is unacceptable. It shows hypocrisy at least and possibly racism — why should Irish workers enjoy protections denied those of another nationality working in this country? State agencies should not give contracts to firms that exploit workers so terribly. If they continue to do so, what is to stop Iarnród Éireann inviting workers from Portugal to fill posts but at pay rates 25% below those enjoyed by the incumbents?