Laois TD seeks investigation of Fastway 'scandal'
Fastway Couriers has entered receivership. File image
A LAOIS TD has called on enterprise minister Peter Burke to investigate how the Fastway receivership has been handled and to protect workers and contractors, following the shock closure of the company with a large base in Portarlington.
Independent TD Brian Stanley said the treatment of workers and contractors is “a scandal” and must be investigated by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment.
Devastated workers have been left without pay for 30 days, because they are still technically employed by the company and cannot draw social welfare.
In a statement on Friday following the company’s devastating collapse, Deputy Stanley said: ‘The manner in which this has been handled is a scandal and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment need to investigate how this receivership has been handled and how the employees have been treated.
‘Workers have been left in limbo with no wages, because they are still technically employed by the company.
‘They are now in a situation where they cannot draw Job Seeker's Allowance. The contractors who are doing a service for the company and doing deliveries have been left in an even more difficult situation, as some of them who have purchased vans are now left with no income, and no way to pay for their vehicles.
‘I am calling for the Minister for Enterprise , Trade and Employment Peter Burke to intervene immediately to ensure that this matter is dealt with, and for his senior officials to engage with the company and receiver involved, to ensure that the contractors are looked after by the assets of the company that may be there.
‘I am also calling for him to ensure that the workers receive their proper redundancy immediately. Also the Department of Social Protection needs to engage with workers, and I am calling on the Minister for Social Protection, Darragh Calleary, to ensure that where workers may not be able to get Jobseekers Allowance that, under the Supplementary Welfare Scheme, they can be granted an Exceptional Needs Payment, and for this to be granted for workers with no wages in the coming weeks and that he ensures that they receive a weekly payment.’
Deputy Stanley said he has engaged with both departments and will be following up on this in the time ahead, ‘to ensure that we try and do the best we can for the workers and contractors’.
He said: ‘The Department of Trade and Employment also need to ensure that deliveries are been carried out where goods are held in stores for deliveries throughout Laois and the Midlands and that those goods are released to competent delivery companies.’
Minister Calleary said yesterday that the department has already been in contact to offer information on the supports available, to assist employees and others who may be affected over the coming months.
He said: “These include a range of income supports, and assistance to move to alternative employment, or to access appropriate education, training and development options.”
He also highlighted the new Jobseeker’s pay-related benefit that was introduced last March. This is available to employees who lose their job and meet certain conditions.
It provides a maximum weekly payment of €450 or 60% of prior income to support people while they seek new employment.
