Bosses Must Not Escape As Migrant Worker Left For Dead - IRSP

derry | worker & community struggles and protests | press release

Wednesday January 12, 2005 23:10

by Derry IRSP - Irish Republican Socialist Party

derryirsp at hotmail dot com

P.O.Box 1981, Derry, BT48 8GX

The Irish Republican Socialist Party representative John Hogan hit out at
the way in which a young Ukranian woman living rough on the streets of
Coleraine in Co Derry had both her legs amputated after turkey factory
bosses sacked her.

Derry Irish Republican Socialist Party

Press Release

Bosses Must Not Escape As Migrant Worker Left For Dead - IRSP

11 January 2005

The Irish Republican Socialist Party representative John Hogan hit out at
the way in which a young Ukranian woman living rough on the streets of
Coleraine in Co Derry had both her legs amputated after turkey factory
bosses sacked her.

In a statement supplied to the IRSP newspaper, The Starry Plough, Mr Hogan
said "The news of this tragedy is one of utter horror and disbelief.
Unfortunately it is now common knowledge that many migrant workers are use
and abused by bosses behind closed doors, of what can only be described as
shabby sweat-shops right across the counrty. The young woman in this case,
a 27 years old Ukranian worker with very little english was said to have
been laid off by bosses at a local turkey factory following the christmas
rush. After living rough in sub-zero temperatures on the streets of
Coleraine she was met by fellow migrant workers who were so shocked at her
overall state of health that they took her to hospital. Sadly the womans
turma didn't end there as she had both legs amputated after being found
suffering from extreme hypothermia and frost-bite.

"This incident itself was just a tragedy left waiting to happen as migrant
and temporary employed workers are seen in many ways as disposable by
employers. A terrible plight for hundreds of workers that the trade union
movement continues to ignore. However the way in which this story unfolded
clearly shows that bosses must not escape untarnished here, both wages and
conditions must be put under the spotlight. In saying that I would like
to state that the increasing number temporary employment agencies clearly
need to be exposed for what they really are, modern day slave drivers and
slave traders whose only interest is in the pursuit of profit. It is a
concern of every member of our class both employed and unemployed that all
the issues involved in this case urgently needs to be tackled once and for
all.

Mr. Hogan concluded "The thoughts of our party and I'm sure the thoughts
of many hundreds of workers held in similar circumstances goes to the
young woman involved who is currently recovering in hospital. I would like
to offer our support and solidarity in the hope of a speedy recovery and
to her friends working in the six counties."

Ends