Martin given assurances over Gama bank accounts

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheal Martin has received assurances from Finansbank in Amsterdam in relation to accounts held by GAMA Construction workers.

In a statement this afternoon, Mr Martin said the bank authorities had told him funds were available and that the workers will get all monies in their accounts.

"The Bank has said that it has already received instructions from GAMA on behalf of 660 employees in relation to accessing their accounts and money.

"The Bank has said that 281 of these instructions have been complied with and they estimate that the remainder will be completed by the close of business this evening," he said.

The Minister said the bank had agreed to put in place a process with his Department to allow the remaining workers access their accounts.

Mr Martin said he was due to meet workers and their representatives this evening.

Yesterday the Minister announced the appointment 11 new labour inspectors to combat exploitation in response to growing concerns about the treatment of migrant workers.

Workers at Turkish construction company claim millions of euros in unpaid wages have been hidden by the firm at the bank's branch in Amsterdam.

Gama Ireland denies the allegation and says the money in Dutch bank accounts "is fully and irrevocably available to each employee at any time."

The company said suggestions that employees cannot access their own accounts were not true.

"The bank has confirmed that many employees have already accessed their accounts and drawn down their funds," it said.

Earlier Mr Martin told the Seanad he had referred an Inspectors Report into alleged mistreatment of migrant workers at Gama Ireland to the gardaí, the Revenue Commissioners and other regulatory bodies.

He said: "It is my intention to forward the Report to these bodies so as to enable them to look into the consequences arising."

Mr Martin said he was currently constrained by court order from commenting on the Inspectors Report.

But he said his Department was "robustly submitting our case for the lifting of the injunction from GAMA Turkey".

"I should mention that we were served with notice of a further injunction against publication from GAMA Ireland. I have instructed that this too be opposed vigorously," he added.

Gama Ireland denies allegations that it paid its Turkish construction employees €2 to €3 per hour or that employees were made work excessive hours.

It said Gama's current minimum hourly rates for construction workers are was €12.96, in full compliance with the Registered Employment Agreement for the construction industry.