ALMOST 400 workers were left shocked and devastated after Dublin 15 based trucking company Target Express unexpectedly ceased trading last week.
The insolvent haulage company, which has an address in Damastown, Mulhuddart, closed without notice on Monday, August 27.
The decision to cease trading followed a move by the Revenue Commissioners to place an attachment on the company’s bank accounts. Management said they have been unable to pay staff as a result.
Workers, who were left in the lurch, lashed out at the Government for failing to intervene to save their jobs.
The State stepped in four days after the closure to start the lengthy process of dealing with out Target workers’ claims for statutory redundancy, minimum notice and other payments due to them. This could take between four and six months.
Local TD Dessie Ellis (SF), who sympathised with the affected workers, said the closure of the company was symptomatic of the struggling trucking and transport industry.
“Target Express and other haulage companies are really struggling these days with high fuel costs, which particularly affect this industry,
? he said.
“Obviously businesses have a responsibility to pay their taxes on time and in full but we cannot forget the 400 jobs associated Target Express and the people and families who rely on those incomes.
“Road haulage employs many people across the island and I have met with many hauliers over the last year or so who are very worried.
“The Government needs to work with this industry in order to keep these jobs going as far as is possible.
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It was reported last week that Target Express owes
?¬600,000 in workers’ social insurance contributions and PAYE to the Revenue Commissioners.
However, earlier in the week management at the trucking company claimed the Revenue forced it out of business in a dispute over
?¬175,000 in unpaid taxes.