Workers In Saggart Hold Protest As Employers Stealthily Move Company During Lockdown

People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny joins protest in support of workers

“Some firms are trying to use the Covid-19 public health emergency to deprive workers of their rights”

Workers employed by the company Instant Upright based at City West in Saggart held a protest today outside the premises at the firm’s plans to move the operation to Latvia.

As the company’s business is considered non-essential, workers have been staying at home as advised by the Government during the pandemic.

Dublin Mid-West TD Gino Kenny joined the workers today and spoke to some of the employees who are worried about the future of their jobs and their livelihoods.

Deputy Kenny said: “I am concerned to hear that Instant Upright have completely ignored their workers’ pleas to inform them of what is going on and have refused to engage with their trade union, Connect. It would appear that employees only discovered that there was an issue when a member of staff was driving past the building and dropped in to see if he could make contact with management. It was only then that he discovered vehicles outside and equipment and tools ready for removal.

“The workers are anxious about the future of their jobs. Their employment contracts state that there can be no changes in work practices without prior negotiation with their union, but the company have ignored phone calls and emails from staff urging them to do so.

“I am concerned that some companies are trying to use the Covid-19 public health emergency to leave workers without any jobs or redundancy settlements. We have seen a similar move by Debenhams recently.

“I will stand in support of these loyal workers who do not deserve to be treated so badly and urge Instant Upright to engage with their employees’ union immediately. I will also be raising in the Dáil the increased incidence of companies such as Instant Upright and Debenhams using the pandemic as an excuse to deny workers their rights. We in People Before Profit will not stand for this kind of treatment of workers.”