The Construction Industry Group NI has called on the Northern Ireland Executive to fast track major planned infrastructure projects to ensure the construction industry survives the financial crisis.
The CIGNI says hundreds of construction workers and construction firms are looking to other parts of the world to find work. Construction job opportunities in the Middle East and Dubai, Canada, Scotland and England are drawing construction workers away in massive numbers.

The CIGNI general Secretary Ciaran Fox says that if the North loses its construction workforce it will lose out in the long term as workers will probably set down roots where the go. “If only 10 percent stay where they go, it’s a considerable loss to Northern Ireland.” He also said that some major construction firms are also looking for construction opportunities outside of Northern Ireland, and with them they will bring much of the workforce.

The CIGNI told the Northern Ireland Executive that the only way to stem the losses is for the Executive to fast track major planned infrastructure projects to ensure the industry stays afloat through the financial crisis.