Tax dodge firms must be targeted

THE Government’s half-hearted efforts to crack down on bogus self-employment will do nothing to improve the lot of the workers involved.

In fact, there is good reason to believe this public awareness campaign is in itself a distraction to give the illusion something is being done about what is a growing problem in many sectors.

The stark reality is tens of thousands of workers are only too well aware they are forced to work for unscrupulous bosses without their basic employment rights.

These workers lose out on holiday and sick pay and will not be in line for redundancy payments when their employment ceases.

On the other hand, rogue employers avoid paying tax and social welfare contributions.

The State also loses out as the employer fails to pay the correct amount of tax and their share of social protection dues.

Trade unions have been highlighting the plight of workers who are at the mercy of their employer when it comes to pay and conditions.

What is needed now is tough new laws to prosecute rogue bosses who flout employment legislation for their own gain.

The Taoiseach and his ministers should go after the rogue bosses involved in bogus self-employment who are not only depriving workers of their rights but are also defrauding the State as well.