The managing director of Gama Construction, the Turkish company at the centre of claims that it routinely mistreated hundreds of its staff, is seeking re-election to the board of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, a body committed to best practice in business.
M. Hakan Karaalioglu was nominated as a candidate in the election to the chamber's 40-member executive council by two former past presidents of the chamber, David Pierce of Ulster Bank and former Smurfit Ireland chief executive Peter Webster.
In a letter to chamber members, Mr Karaalioglu said his priorities, if elected, would include the promotion of "Dublin's new multicultural identity" and the international promotion of the city "especially in the context of new and emerging EU members".
Mr Karaalioglu said that he participated in a wide range of the chamber's activities.
"Drawing on my international and national experience, I have worked to make a strong contribution to the work of the Dublin chamber. I have also worked to reflect Dublin's new multicultural nature."
Gama was the subject of prolonged controversy last year after 300 Turkish staff claimed they had been working up to 80 hours a week for €2-€3 per hour - less than half the minimum wage. Gama said the workers were aware that it was paying wages into their bank accounts in Turkey via a Dutch bank, a claim that the workers denied.
A biographical note circulated to members of the chamber made no mention of this controversy.
The company declined to comment on Mr Karaalioglu's campaign to seek re-election to the board of what is the pre-eminent business organisation in Dublin. A chamber spokesman said its role was to promote business and "altruistic" interests and the chamber is described on its own website as the "premier networking organisation in the city".
Members of the executive council include many of the most senior business figures in Dublin. Ten seats become available every year in a system of rotating elections.
Current members of the council include C&C managing director Maurice Pratt, Matheson Ormsby Prentice managing partner Liam Quirke and NTMA chief executive Michael Somers.
