Sherlock demands Ministerial intervention with Stryker HQ in Michigan
- High level intervention necessary to ensure that workers can be afforded some guarantees as to their personal safety says Labour TD
Cork East TD Sean Sherlock has demanded Ministerial intervention with Stryker International Headquarters in the United States following another fire at the Cork plant.
Deputy Sherlock said:
“The latest incident at Stryker is not only a worry for workers but also for the wider community, who want to ensure that workers are safe and that there is no risk to life and limb.
“The taxpayer, through IDA is a significant investor in companies like Stryker.
“The medical devices and technology sector is a key driver of jobs growth in our region. I am deeply concerned that the number of breaches in health and safety regulations at Stryker has become a serious cause for concern. There is now a risk to the Ireland’s reputation as a leader in inward investment in the medical devices sector.
“The very least the company should be doing now is facilitating meetings with Union representatives to give a real and meaningful voice to workers for when incidents like this occur. The idea that the company operates some form of internal communications forum is not sufficient at this stage.
“I have no doubt but that the Minister for Enterprise has received a briefing from the IDA. Ministerial intervention with Stryker is now vital to ensure incidents, such as have occurred will not be repeated.”