Labour inspectors have warned the Government they are being prevented from properly policing the minimum wage and other employment rights due to a lack of resources, training and staff.
In a report seen by The Irish Times, inspectors also claim that a confusing mandate, poor legal back-up and severe limitations to their powers are hampering them in their work.
The report was written by officials in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment as part of a review of employment rights set up under Sustaining Progress.
It draws heavily on the views of the department's labour inspectorate, which polices the implementation of workers' rights in relation to pay and working hours.
Inspectors say they frequently operate in a "fire brigade fashion" as their regular caseload is deferred in favour of urgent cases.
"The situation has both a demotivating effect on the officers concerned and also has a detrimental impact on the overall effectiveness and professionalism of the service," the report says.
It sharply criticises the "haphazard" training of inspectors, who are not required to have any knowledge of employment rights before taking up their posts. This results in "a lack of consistency" in the handling of cases and undermines inspectors' confidence, it says.
The revelations will embarrass the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which has persistently denied trade union claims that the inspectorate was inadequately equipped to do its job.
Unions say the number of inspectors, 21, is not nearly enough to police an economy with nearly two million workers. The department's report suggests the true picture is even worse.
Only "very rarely" is the inspectorate fully staffed because of delays in filling vacancies, it points out.
Siptu midlands regional secretary Mike Jennings said the report vindicates the unions' arguments.
"We're tired of promises that something is going to be done. [Minister of State for Labour Affairs] Tony Killeen has to act immediately to provide a properly staffed, adequately resourced inspectorate," he said.
The inspectorate's report into alleged exploitation of Turkish workers by Gama Construction was presented to Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin yesterday. He said he was anxious to publish it "as soon as possible".
