GAMA responsible for breaches of employment legislation

national | worker & community struggles and protests | news report Monday April 18, 2005 17:29 by SP Member - Socialist Party / CWI

In an effort to prevent the publication of the Labour inspectors report GAMA were back in the High Court today

The Turkish construction firm, Gama, has claimed that workers were given inducements to make statements to labour inspectors during a Government investigation into its Irish operations.

The claim was made in the High Court where Gama is seeking a judicial review of the inspection process.

Gama claims the labour inspectors went beyond their powers in carrying out an investigation into claims of exploitation of workers made in the Dáil earlier this year.

The investigation, ordered by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, followed claims by Socialist TD Joe Higgins that employees were paid €2.20 an hour.

There were further claims that unpaid wages were lodged in Dutch bank accounts without the knowledge of the employees.

Gama Endustri told the High Court that the investigation by the labour inspectorate went beyond its powers and that the minister has no right to make the damaging report public.

It also claimed that it believes workers were given inducements to make statements to the labour inspectors.

The court heard that during the investigation Gama Ireland had admitted to a number of serious breaches of employment rights that could lead to criminal prosecution.

However, other issues relating to competition law, corporate governance, taxation and possible fraud also need to be addressed.