Construction unions are holding protests today, Wednesday, after serious abuses were revealed in relation to the Grange Gorman Development Project.

The protests, organised by the Construction Industry Committee (CIC) of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, are also in supporting the 'Decent Work' in the construction industry campaign.

Unions involved in the campaign insist that despite repeatedly informing the Department of Education and Skills (DES) of the abuse of workers on school projects, the 'race to the bottom' on these and other public contracts continues.

-- Advertisement --

They have pointed out that workers are being forced to masquerade as self-employed - despite clearly being employees - in order to drive wages lower and deny workers their pension and death-in-service entitlements, along with legal protection for holiday pay and other employment rights.

The unions have said they are aware of skilled trades people being paid as little as €250 a week on sites, well below the established rate.

Unions involved in the campaign say that as the Department cannot or will not restore order on these projects, the unions must be given access to workers and contractors on site to end these abuses once and for all.

(CD/MH)