The Independent Workers Union exposes abuse of Chinese Workers

By Brian Halpin

The Independent Workers’ Union exposed the latest case of the exploitation of migrant workers in the Celtic Tiger Economy. The case concerns seven Chinese females all working for Klean Fit limited located at unit 1, Old River House, Templegoue, Dublin 6 West.

The dispute arises with the owner of the company, Ms. Anita Ryan, who has issued a series of bounced cheques to the workers as wage payment. This now results with the employer owing the workers 11,323.51 euro between them. She is also holding on to the workers P45’s which is causing them untold hardship and problems obtaining further employment and claiming social welfare benefits.

Amy explained how she was met with excuse after excuse when she pressed her employer for payment. However, she trusted that her employer would pay her wages because she always handled her in a polite manner and seemed sincere. Amy worked with the company as a manager for 3 years and she received no payment from September 2006 to January 2007. She is owed, in total, 5,587.62 euro.

Wendy became pregnant while working for the company. But, she was forced to move back to China because she was not getting paid for the work she had done. Moreover, the child when born will face many restrictions in life as he/she will be born to unmarried parents. At the age of 22, Wendy’s hopes and dreams of a new life in Ireland have been shattered by a rogue employer. She is owed 2,455.65 euro.

Ray O’Reilly from the Independent Workers’ Union said “we have been struggling to try and get the company to see reason to pay these workers for work done. We sent letters to them, tried to make phone calls and the girls have been going back and forward to them”.

The Independent Workers’ Union will proceed for hearings before the Labour Court on behalf of the seven workers under the Payment of Wages Act 1981, The Organisation of Time Act 1997 and the Minimum Notice and terms of Employment Act 1973-2001. They will also revert to traditional trade union methods if necessary.

The gross abuse of migrant workers is a disturbing reality in the Celtic Tiger economy but only membership of a trade union which puts its members first can provide the necessary protection and solidarity to workers

Global Warming is a Global Injustice

Global Warming is a Global Injustice

By Brian Halpin
5/11/2007

The poor suffer most in climate change even though they contribute least to the problem. On the launch of the fourth assessment report on policy options to mitigate climate change, the chairperson of the IPCC, Rajendra Pachauri confirms this, he said “the poorest of the poor in the world, and this includes poor people in prosperous societies, are going to be hit worst. People who are poor are least able to adapt to climate change”.

Therefore, we must look at global warming as a humanitarian issue as much as an environmental crisis. Third world countries already suffer from extreme poverty, human rights abuses, hunger, AIDS and corrupt governments and they will also carry the burden of climate change. Their food, shelter and safety are at greater risk than those in more comfortable nations who are responsible for increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and they have the power to address the problem.

In Africa, between 25 and 250 million people are predicted to be exposed to an increase in water stress by 2020. Also, agricultural production is expected to be severely compromised by climate change. Tens of millions of people are likely to be made homeless and left without the means of growing food or making a living to support their family.

Already, In Kenya, violence has occurred in drought hit areas. Pastoralists in the north of the country have started killing each other over the right to water their cattle at a diminishing number of watering holes. In Bangladesh, the entire population is insecurely perched above sea level. If, as expected, rises in sea level would leave millions displaced and disposed.

Climate change is an accelerating risk to everybody’s long term welfare. The IPCC report estimates that about 3% of the global GDP by 2030 would be enough to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

In Ireland, we are one of the biggest polluters per head of population. So, it’s our responsibility to lobby our government to take its role seriously. We also need to encourage our government to lobby other industrial nations to cut down on their carbon emissions. As Pat Finnegan of Grian warns there is “no room left” for policy makers in Ireland or Internationally to “doubt, dodge or obfuscate any further on climate change”

The real challenge however, is to see whether our government can take the necessary positive steps and put the environment and humanity ahead of big business and profit.
brian.halpin@ucdconnect.ie

A Tribute to William Pearse

A Tribute to William Pearse

By Brian Halpin

For The Local News

This year marks the 91st anniversary of the Easter rising and we should be very proud of our national hero’s who took part in this historic event. We should commemorate the men and women who made a brave and heroic attempt to break the connection with our ancient enemy, who imposed torture and suffering on the native people for too long.

It’s also very important to note, the Easter rising was not just a military struggle with Britain but a struggle for a better Ireland. The philosophy and ideals which they left behind are still relevant today.

They imagined a 32 county republic free from foreign interference and one which “cherishes all children of the nation equally”, “guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and opportunities to all its citizens” and declares “the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland”. This is all enshrined in the proclamation.

The proclamation of the republic was the most radical document ever put before this nation and we must aspire to see this implemented for the benefit of our future generations.

The people of Crumlin are very privileged to have a local park named after William Pearse, a national hero who was executed for his part in the Easter Rising. He was the younger brother of Padraig Pearse and he joined his brother in GPO during the fighting. Willie’s rank was as a captain in the Irish Volunteers. During his court martial in Richmond barracks, Willie pleaded guilty to “… waging of war against His majesty the king …”

At the same time, he also insisted that he had “no authority or say in the arrangements for the starting of the rebellion. I was throughout – only a personal attaché to my brother P.H. Pearse. I had no direct command.” Willie Pearse was executed on the 4th May 1916.

However, I wonder how the local people will respond to the current proposals to develop their local park. It requires a private developer taking at least 10% of the parkland to fund a new swimming pool and amenities for kids in the park. The people of Crumlin, Drimnagh and Walkinstown are only too familiar with Private Property Developers hoarding up any available space to construct high raised apartments. I cannot see the people accepting the crumbs of a private property developer for amenities we deserve as a right and without compromise.