A group of South African workers who were left jobless weeks after they came to take up posts in Ireland may be offered new employment.
The 21 electricity linesmen attended weekend job interviews in Westport, Co Mayo, with T.E. Services Limited, a telecommunications company set up by former Eircom employees. The company is recruiting staff who will be based mostly in the Dublin area. The firm needs to employ, on behalf of Eircom, about 50 skilled staff for a three-year, €25 million contract to remove and replace dangerous poles.
The South Africans came to Ireland after applying for jobs advertised in a domestic newspaper by ESB. They were hired by British-based McAlpine Utility Services to upgrade line networks for the ESB. But, the men found themselves out of work this month when they were told they were "not up to standard".
One of the men, Mr J.D. Van Vollenhoven, said they were relieved there was light on the horizon. Many of the group had families to support in South Africa.
Following the interviews, Mr Michael Dillon, operations manager with T.E. Services, said he hoped to offer jobs to up to 10 of the men.
The Mayor of Castlebar, Mr Michael Kilcoyne, said the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, should impose penalties on firm's abusing foreign labour.