Councillor Reddy said “Homebase recently announced that it has gone into liquidation. Large numbers of people from Ballymun and Santry work in Homebase in Santry and these workers are anxious about their jobs and the pay and other entitlements they are owed.
We have seen workers in similar situations in Debenhams and Iceland being left behind. I supported Debenhams workers for 405 days, standing side by side with them on pickets in Henry Street and Blanchardstown. Workers in Debenhams were let down by the government, but they held hope that their experience would lead to a change in the law around how workers are treated in similar situations. Promises were made but as usual, nothing was delivered by Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael. It is a further slap in the face to Debenhams workers that they watch as another group of workers face uncertainty and potentially not getting what they deserve as their company is liquidated.
The government must step in now to ensure that Homebase workers are protected and what they are owed is paid to them immediately. The stock in the stores is valuable and is important leverage for the workers to force the company and the government to fulfil their responsibilities to the workers. I've met with Homebase workers from Ballymun, Santry and Kilmore working in the Santry store and will be keeping in touch with them to support them as this unfolds."