Morgan - Progress is being made in addressing grievances of exploited South African workers
Sinn Féin Workers Rights spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD this morning met with
Inspectors from the Department of Enterprise in relation to their investigation
into the exploitation of 19 South African workers. He also spoke with
some of the South African workers and was in brief contact with a
representative of their employers Transport Components. Deputy Morgan said
“It is my firm view that progress is being made in terms of the grievances
outlined by the workers and if this work continues we can achieve a
successful outcome in this particular case.”
Deputy Morgan
said:
“The speedy response of the Department of Enterprise in
opening an investigation into the exploitation of these 19 South African
workers is very welcome. I met with Inspectors from the Department of
Enterprise this morning, spoke with some of the South African Workers and
was in brief contact with a representative of Transport Components. The
Department have already spoken to both Transport Components and Bus Éireann
and are due to meet the workers very soon.
“It is my firm view
that progress is being made in terms of the grievances outlined by the
workers and I believe that if this work continues we can achieve a
successful outcome in this particular case.
“However the
government needs to get a grip of this situation. Their lax attitude
in relation to the protection of workers rights needs to change. There are
growing concerns about the pay and conditions of workers across a whole
range of industries and these are issues that effect Irish workers and those
who are working here from abroad.
Sinn Féin is calling for:
-
The Department of Enterprise to conclude their investigation as
quickly as possible and to ensure that these workers are retrospectively
paid what is due to them. -
The tightening up of public procurement rules to ensure that
companies who breech employment law are ineligible for public contracts. -
The Labour Inspectorate to be increased to the projected 90
immediately, rather than phasing it as is proposed in Towards 2016. -
The upholding of the rights of all workers, regardless of where they
come from.