Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

I wish to raise the need for protection under the social welfare scheme of workers, particularly migrant workers, such as those affected by the abandonment of a public contract for the refurbishment of Eyre Square in Galway for Galway City Council and earlier the workers who are at risk following the collapse of a firm in Portumna; the increasing vulnerability of migrant workers affected by sudden closures in the construction industry, often on public contracts, without notice; breaches of statutory regulations and general absence of protection; the need for a hardship fund to address their immediate needs and such statutory changes as will meet their basic rights. In the service industry foreign workers are being exploited, particularly in terms of accommodation. They are charged for anything they consume on the employers' premises, even for glasses of water. Will the Minister of State inform the House what is the situation with regard to the number of hours foreign workers work each week? Who is on the inspectorate? How many reports has it carried out and have any of them been published?

Migrant workers are among the most vulnerable in society. Events this week bear this out. The group of workers laid off as a result of the actions undertaken by Kingston Construction Limited are now in a most invidious position. These workers were employed by a company engaged by Galway City Council. It has now moved to secure the site, it having been abandoned by the company. However, it is beyond comprehension that public money could be spent in this fashion. The city council engaged a company that did not comply with a registered agreement as it relates to pension rights as well as rates of pay. It is incumbent on State bodies to ensure that tenders for work which are accepted are compliant with the relevant registered agreement. A proper system of checks and balances must be implemented to ensure workers are protected. In the event of the kind of incidents that occurred in Galway city and county recently, it is worth noting that many workers, particularly migrant workers such as those affected by the abandonment of a public contract, are increasingly vulnerable. Such workers affected by sudden closures without notice in the construction industry are suffering breaches of statutory regulations and a general absence of protection.

When what happened in Galway arises, what immediate provisions are there for such workers, especially non-Irish workers, made redundant in this manner? What recourse do these people have? What arrangements are in place for those workers from within the EU, those from outside the EU and those from the new member states of the EU but who are in a minority in their state and do not enjoy full citizenship rights? There have been reports of people from some Baltic states not receiving the full benefits and protection of EU membership. Beyond these questions, there is a clear and urgent need for a hardship fund to address the immediate needs of workers, such as those in Galway who lost their jobs. There is now a pressing requirement for statutory changes that will meet their basic rights. Where accommodation has been booked and organised by the putative employers, in the event of the contract being broken, as in this case, in what position do such employees find themselves? Is it possible for them to apply for rent allowance?

The Government must act to protect the least powerful in society. Migrant workers are some of those with the least clout in Ireland. This has been seen as a result of Kingston Construction Limited's action and the previous company to which I referred. I call on the Minister of State to answer the questions I have raised and to indicate such actions he proposes to take in this regard.

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