Sir, - I write as a building worker who is deeply concerned about the new pay agreement. Over the past 10 years building workers have seen conditions of employment and pay deteriorate drastically. We have the highest fatality rate due to accidents of any industry. This agreement contains nothing to ensure that this situation is rectified. Despite having excellent legislation with regard to safety the situation is worse than ever.
Basic facilities - canteen, toilets, etc. - do not exist in many sites. This is particularly true of the house building section. The only effect to combat the situation by the Government was a highly publicised campaign by the Health and Safety Inspectorate which included site visits and lasted a few weeks.
Thousands of building workers are forced to work as self employed in what is known as the C45 system. This denies basic rights such as holiday pay, pension rights and social welfare entitlements. There is uncertainty as regards insurance cover in case of accident. This situation exists despite a commitment from government ministers and Congress of Trade Unions to bring it to an end.
Now we are being asked to support an agreement which won't even keep pace with inflation. We have witnessed huge profits being made in the building industry in the last few years. On sites which I worked on house prices have increased by 100 per cent.
While all workers have demanded tax reform for many years all that has been gained is tax cuts which will be used to subsidise builders to make them even richer. This agreement will give some union leaders who negotiated this agreement on our behalf increases well over £100 per week, while I along with other building workers will still have to get by on a pittance. - Yours, etc.,
115 Cappagh Avenue,
Finglas West, Dublin 11.