Unite the Union, Ireland Region

Retaining workers in employment will protect individuals, families and business

Government must take further measures on housing costs to protect living standards

March 30th: Following the Government’s effective closure of non-essential construction sites, trade union Unite – which represents construction workers throughout Ireland – has urged employers to engage with the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme and to top up payments so as to protect workers’ incomes.  The union has also reminded employers that the scheme allows for workers laid off as a result of COVID-19 to be re-hired and covered by the scheme.

Commenting, Unite Regional Officer for Construction Tom Fitzgerald said the union has already contacted individual employers in the sector and will be engaging with others in the days ahead to ensure that as many workers as possible are retained in employment and their incomes protected:

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Construction: Unite writes to Taoiseach seeking site closure to help halt spread of COVID-19

Union says social distancing and hygiene measures cannot be observed

Letter calls for workers’ incomes to be protected

Trade union Unite, which represents construction workers throughout Ireland, has written to the Taoiseach asking for the Government to close non-essential construction sites as a matter of urgency in order to help halt the spread of COVID-19.

The letter, which is available here, explains the impossibility of adhering to social distancing and hygiene requirements on sites.  Urging that workers’ net take-home pay be protected in the event of closure, the union outlines what it considers to be essential works, including works relating to health and pharmaceutical facilities or similar connected with the current crisis, as well as works connected with the maintenance of essential utilities and emergency assistance to households.

Commenting, Unite Regional Officer for Construction Tom Fitzgerald said:

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