Labour inspectors are probing serious allegations of harassment of workers at a software firm in West Dublin, the Dáil heard today.
Tánaiste Mary Harney confirmed that the Employment Department is investigating Global Mobile Vision (GMV) after receiving a number of complaints.
Socialist Party leader Joe Higgins claimed staff had approached Dáil TDs with allegations of wages paid late, harassment and bullying.
Ms Harney, who was deputising for the Taoiseach and speaking on behalf of the Government, said: "In relation to Global Mobile Vision, I understand that that matter is being investigated."
Raising the issue, Mr Higgins claimed that workers at firms like GAMA and Clondalkin-based GMV were being exploited by ruthless bosses who could afford lawyers to fight in the courts.
Mr Higgins said: "Workers at Global Mobile Vision with serious allegations of wages paid late, harassment and bullying approached the independent section of the Technical Group including Deputy Finian McGrath and myself to try to expedite a solution."
Independent TD, Mr McGrath held a recent press conference with disgruntled workers in a Dublin hotel.
Mr Higgins added: "The Labour laws allow ruthless exploiters of workers to hide behind the courts and laws of this land to have shameful truths suppressed.
"Vulnerable workers suffering low pay and oppressive working conditions have no hope of a speedy vindication of their rights under current laws.
"These laws favour ruthless bosses who can buy the most expensive 'hired gun' lawyers in town and in the meantime intimidate, sack or otherwise silence employees seeking their rights.
"The industrial relations machinery is totally inadequate to deal with that. He called for urgent amendments to employment laws and for labour inspector reports on firms to be published.
The High Court yesterday banned the publication of a Labour Inspector's report into GAMA because Judge Mary Finlay Geoghegan ruled Employment Minister Micheal Martin had no such powers under employment acts.
Former Employment Minister Ms Harney, replied that she was "a champion of the policies that create high quality employment".
She said the Irish economy had created 500,000 extra jobs in recent years - unmatched by any other country in the developed world.
"Where there are deficiencies in the legislation, they will be addressed. Enforcement of the law is a crucial issue."