A CAMPAIGNER for homeless people has asked for an investigation into claims that workers on the Ulster University Belfast campus were living in derelict buildings.
Robbie Hunter, the head of a powerful construction body in California, visited Belfast where he viewed the site on York Street.
Writing in the Irish News, he said he saw workers living in derelict buildings close to the site.
More than a month after building ground to a halt on the largest venture of its kind in the north, no-one can say when the project will re-start.
The transformation of the 'art college' campus on York Street will see most courses transfer from Jordanstown and student numbers in the city rise from 2,000 to 15,000.
Lagan Construction Group and Portuguese-based Somague were named joint-venture partners on the project, which was due to complete this year.
It has since been suggested it may not be ready until at least 2022.
When Lagan got into difficulties in February, workers from all the firms involved, including subcontractors, downed tools. Accountancy firm KPMG has been appointed as administrators to four companies within Lagan.
Some workers from the Portuguese firm are understood to have returned home.
Mr Hunter argued that Northern Ireland could learn lessons from the US about how local communities can better benefit from large building projects. The UU site, he said, was not benefitting the mass of Belfast residents who live in underprivileged neighbourhoods with high unemployment.
"Instead, I found that the vast majority of workers were being transported in from outside of the country to work for low wages, undermining local workers and their families," he said.
"At the time of my visit, many workers were living in derelict buildings adjacent to the worksite, where once the newsboys club was situated, at the corner of Frederick Street and York Street."
Lagan, Somague and UU have all been asked to respond to Mr Hunter's comments, but there has so far been no reply.
SDLP councillor Paul McCusker, founder of Homeless Aware and who runs a weekly soup kitchen on Donegall Street, close to the building site, said he would raise the issue.
Mr McCusker said he had spoken to the Housing Executive about the claims and added that he had also "tasked Belfast City Council to investigate this".
During his visit, Mr Hunter also met Lord Mayor Nuala McAllister.
"I pointed out the fact that very few youth or workers from communities adjacent to the many construction projects taking place throughout Belfast seem to have any access to job opportunities," he said.
"There is no reason why at least 80 percent of the workers on these projects should not be Belfast residents, with an apprenticeship preference for disadvantaged young people."
Belfast City Council said it was not involved in the contractual arrangements for the UU development.
"The contract is a matter for the Ulster University. The council, including the lord mayor, would not comment on this contract whilst there is an ongoing issue in terms of administration," a spokesman said.
"However, in general terms, the council promotes the use of social clauses in its own contracts and encourages others to do likewise. It has also delivered a number of construction academies to ensure that we develop our workforce for construction jobs around the city."
