The Irish Congress of Trade Unions today (April 7) welcomed the decision by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) to construct a new runway at Dublin Airport but said the project must not become a vehicle for bogus self-employment and tax evasion.
Commenting on the news Congress official Fergus Whelan said: 'this major infrastructural investment will boost construction employment and have a positive impact on the wider economy.
"But it should also serve as a vehicle for the creation of high quality, decent jobs and not serve to reinforce the shabby practice of bogus self-employment that is rampant across the construction sector.
"Forcing individual workers to pretend they are independent contractors only benefits bad construction employers. Worker lose their rights and entitlements and the state loses tax revenue," Mr Whelan said.
A recent Congress report highlighted the scale of the abuse in the construction sector and estimated it had cost the state over €600 million in tax and PRSI, since 2007. Following its publication the government launched a review of practices in the sector.*
Mr Whelan said the Dublin Airport runway project should apply best practice in terms of public procurement to ensure the creation of good quality jobs and uphold the highest standards of employment, in terms of pay and conditions.
"We would urge DAA to put in place systems to ensure there are adequate apprentice numbers engaged on the project, for example, that proper rates of pay are applied and that all agreements are adhered to.
"It would be shameful to see this flagship project become a vehicle for low employment standards, shady tax practices and poor procurement practices," Mr Whelan concluded.
