SIPTU representatives have issued a call to the Irish Government to exert its diplomatic influence to ensure the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union secures the implementation of mandatory conditions for all construction workers.
The call comes as negotiations on the revision of EU social security regulations draw to a close and an agreement to ensure mandatory prior notification for the posting of workers within the EU construction sector remains outstanding.
SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Greg Ennis, said: “After nine years of delays since this proposal was first made in 2016, construction workers across Europe cannot wait any longer for these crucial protections and upholding of standards. The current exemptions for short-term postings and so-called ‘business trips’ are creating dangerous loopholes that undermine workers’ rights and facilitate exploitation for construction workers.”
He added: “Our Union is warning that without robust measures unscrupulous employers will avoid social protection and security obligations leaving workers being left without proper protections and decent employers suffering from unfair competition.”
SIPTU Divisional Organiser, Willie Noone, said: “SIPTU representatives have seen first-hand how weak enforcement hurts workers and legitimate businesses. The message to the Polish Presidency from the Irish Government should be clear; no more delays, no more exemptions and no more race to the bottom in the construction industry.”
The call for increased enforcement has united trade unions and employers across Europe, including the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) and European Builders Confederation (EBC), under the support of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).