One in five construction workers undeclared

One in five workers in the construction sector do not have social insurance, Labour and Social Insurance Minister Zeta Emilianidou said on Saturday, urging contractors to take all necessary steps to stamp out undeclared work.

In a speech addressing the 20^th annual general assembly of the Contractors’ Association, which was delivered on her behalf by the head of the ministry’s Labour Department Alexandros Aleksandrou, Emilianidou noted that while the number of workers without social insurance stood at 21 per cent, it had dropped from 26 per cent in 2009. But it was still high, she said.

“Undeclared work corrodes both the economy and the worker relations. Additionally, it breeds unfair competition which damages not only the workers but all businesses and employers that are known for their professionalism,” said the minister, adding that the government had taken measures to combat undeclared work.

Emilianidou said the government had introduced a clause in government contracts stipulating that companies found guilty of employing undeclared workers would be excluded from public sector tenders.