Union seeks closure of building sites, as 'social distancing is not possible'

The Unite trade union has called for the closure of all construction sites, saying that the social distancing of workers is not possible.

Its statement calling for the Government to order the closure of sites was issued this morning (Tuesday).

A different view was taken by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), which issued a joint statement today calling on workers to adhere to social distancing guidelines and other health authority recommendations to help limit the spread of Covid-19. 

An online meeting of Unite's National Construction Branch took place last last night and heard that adequate social distancing measures could not be maintained on sites during the current emergency.

It has now called on the Government to close construction sites throughout the country, subject to a wage compensation scheme. The meeting also called for any wage compensation measures to be extended to so-called ‘bogus self-employed’ workers, to whom a presumption of employment should apply.

Commenting this morning, Unite’s Regional Officer for Construction Tom Fitzgerald said: "It has become increasingly clear to our members, who work on sites throughout the country, that adequate social distancing cannot be maintained either on site or, in many cases, when travelling to and from sites. 

"The result is that approximately 150,000 construction workers are not only themselves susceptible to the spread of COVID-19, but are also at risk of bringing the virus back home to their families and communities – further increasing the strain on our health services.

"Unite is concerned that, as the situation escalates, responsible employers may close site and find themselves effectively undercut by irresponsible employers whose sites remain open, putting workers and the general public at risk.

“We are therefore calling on the Government to immediately close all sites, and to ensure that all construction workers – including so-called ‘bogus self-employed’ workers in sub-contracting chains – are included in a wage compensation scheme such as that proposed by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

"This virus does not distinguish between workers on different types of contracts, and neither should the Government’s response: all workers on a site must be presumed to be employed."

The statement from ICTU and CIF advised construction industry companies and their employees to comply with HSE guidance and protect themselves from the virus.

"Essentially workers should adhere to social distancing guidelines, carry out regular hand washing and use gloves and masks if possible to help contain the spread of the virus in the workplace," said ICTU General Secretary Patricia King. 

"The HSE has issued guidelines on the Coronavirus and we recommend that this guidance is adhered to by workers in the construction industry. Congress will continue to watch the situation closely."

The CIF also asked companies to remind workers that social distancing is critical off-site and on the way to the site. It stated that workers should not travel in groups and, while visiting local businesses such as shops, they must maintain the social distancing guidelines.