11 November 2004 Edition

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SF backs building workers

Speaking on an emergency motion at a meeting of South Dublin County Council, Sinn Féin Councillors Mark Daly and Cathal King backed a delegation of builders in the public gallery who had protested outside against their treatment by a sub-contractor hired by Turkish construction firm GAMA to work on a council building site. As well as unsafe conditions, these workers have now seen their promised wages disappear.

Daly pointed out: "Problems like this have their origin at the tendering process. If the council continually goes for the lowest bidder, something has to give, and it is generally the workers who feel the brunt. We need to impose obligations on companies at the tendering stage that sub-contractors are tied into their proper duties as employers and the provision of safe conditions on site."

The council gave unanimous support to the motion and supported Cllr Daly's call for the Health and Safety Authority to intervene.


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Ireland