The excessive use of employment agencies to hire construction workers is creating a trade in slave labour, the Dublin Alliance of General Construction Operatives (DAGCO) has said.
Construction workers are holding a one-day unofficial strike to attend a meeting on the issue.
DAGCO spokesman Mr Paul Hansard, speaking before the meeting in Dublin, called on the Construction Industry Federation to re-enter talks with SIPTU and representatives from the construction workforce.
"If the CIF refuses to re-enter talks it will face a future of industry unrest as the excessive use of these agencies is putting an end to direct employment and is creating a trade in slave labour", Mr Hansard said.
The CIF responded today saying it has indicated to the ICTU it is available at all times to discuss the issue of agency workers or other issues concerning the future of the industry.
The federation said it cancelled last Monday’s meeting, to discuss the agency workers situation, with the ICTU when DAGCO decided on unofficial action in advance of the meeting.
It asked the union to provide details of member firms they allege are not paying the agreed rates but as yet has had no reply.