Police have been called in over claims children as young as 14 worked night shifts at a transport company which has gone bust with the loss of over 200 jobs, Northern Ireland Employment Minister Sir Reg Empey said today.
Former employees at Reid's in Cloughmills, Co Antrim, were working 70-hour weeks before they found themselves discarded, MLA Daithi McKay also claimed. Around 220 workers were made redundant last week when the company went into administration.
Commenting on the reports Sir Reg said: "I have heard all of these allegations as my officials from my Department have been made fully aware of them."
He added: "I can only say that they are of a very serious nature, we are taking them very seriously and all the necessary steps have already been taken over the weekend and indeed today to try and carry that forward." Sir Reg passed on the complaints to the police.
Mr McKay has spent time on the picket lines with disgruntled former staff, who fear money owed to them will not be paid. Administrators have said they can expect a payment by Christmas.
The Sinn Fein representative said: "Could I also comment on reports that I have heard on the picket line these past four nights, including reports that a number of employees were working more than 70 hours a week and reports that children as young as 14 were working night shifts at the plant?
"Does he believe these workers and their families should be given immunity and encouraged to come forward and make statements?"
Sir Reg's officials are scrutinising the company's financial records at present and the minister is meeting administrators from PricewaterhouseCooper today.
A PSNI spokeswoman said: "Police are investigating allegations made against a business in the Cloughmills area. Anyone with information is asked to contact us."