About 3,000 building workers marched through Dublin yesterday to highlight concerns about safety standards and the use of sub-contractors in the industry.
The procession was led by a group carrying a symbolic black coffin with the message "22 RIP" - a reference to the number of people killed on building sites last year. Some marchers also carried white crosses in memory of dead colleagues.
The event was criticised by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), which said it distracted from the "good work" that was being done to improve health and safety standards.
Mr Eric Fleming, of SIPTU, one of seven unions that organised the protest, told a rally outside Leinster House that workers were simply seeking a safe environment in which to work.
"If 22 gardaí or soldiers or teachers were killed doing their work there would be an outcry. There would be a public inquiry.
"Because we're the building industry we're expected to accept that, but our days of accepting that are over," he said.
Mr Denis Farrell, of the Building and Allied Trades Union (BATU), said the issues of safety and the widespread use of sub-contractors were linked. He claimed sub-contractors were prepared to cut corners to cut costs, "and safety is one of the first things to go".
BATU members had demanded an end to the use of sub-contractors during the hour-long march from Parnell Square to Leinster House, with chants of "subbies, subbies, subbies - out, out out!"
Mr Farrell called for the introduction of a penalty-points system for building companies and sites.
"Accumulate enough points and you will face penalties, accidents or no accidents," he said.
He also called for "corporate manslaughter" to be introduced as an offence, "so that those who continue to evade their responsibilities to ensure safety of their workers will be indicted and face appropriate penalties for their misdeeds".
The CIF, however, said it was "convenient to continually point the finger at employers", when "employees too must live up to their responsibilities and help create a safe environment for themselves and their colleagues".
It said the protest ignored the "enormous efforts" being made by employers, in partnership with unions, the Health and Safety Authority and other statutory agencies, to improve safety standards.
"The unions have made no attempt to contact the CIF in relation to their concerns and are conveniently turning a blind eye to the very positive work that they themselves have been involved in with the federation through the Safety Partnership Plan," the CIF statement said.
The protest was supported by Labour's enterprise, trade and employment spokesman, Mr Brendan Howlin, who said there was "no sign" of promised new legislation on health and safety in construction sites.
"Under questioning in the Dáil, the Taoiseach revealed that April will be the earliest possible time for it to come forward. Unfortunately, this will be far too late to prevent many more accidents.
"The entire focus of the building industry should be on ensuring that the highest standards of safety are maintained so that no more families have to grieve."
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