Contractors are being called to pay agreed construction rates to workers on the West Pharma site in Waterford.

Over 200 construction workers are refusing to carry out their duties as discussions with the main contractor, Sisk, have broken down.

Waterford Sinn Féin Senator and Workers' Rights spokesperson David Cullinane said: "I have been informed that some of the sub-contractors have brought in workers to work for less than half the agreed construction rates. I visited the site this morning to offer solidarity with the workers. The workers I spoke to do not want to be on strike, but they have had enough. They feel they are being exploited by sub-contractors and their terms and conditions of employment are being trampled on.

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"I am calling on the main contractor Sisk to intervene with the some 30 sub-contractors who employ the workers to amend this discrepancy in pay. The people of Waterford need the West Pharma project to be completed in the earliest possible timeframe as the plant will bring much needed jobs to the county."

(CD/MH)