Dr. Deirdre Curran:

The issue for me is that there is an endemic culture of ill treatment within the industry. Unfortunately, there is also an acceptance by workers that there is nothing they can do about it or that this is just how it is. If the committee would humour me for a minute, I have some direct quotes from workers who took part in the survey. One worker said: "I have often been sweared at, called stupid and useless, the same as my other colleagues at work. My boss would throw punches at the wall, throw a chair at one of the workers and insult the way I look and talk. Apparently I sound like a robot.". Another said the following: "I am treated like a horse as they feel I am able to do five people's work instead of one person's work. It is so hard to work in a place that expects you do to everything." I have one more quote, as follows: "I was told to suck my manager's penis because I could not bring the lemons fast enough." There are reams and reams of testimony from workers about how badly they are treated at work. This is a screaming issue that needs to be addressed.