A Campbelltown bricklayer has launched a one-man picket in his bid to secure $70,000 in unpaid superannuation from his boss.

William Hodge began working for DMW Bricklaying in 2000 and has not received any superannuation benefits in 11 years.

“I just want the money I was supposed to be getting,” says the father-of-three and sole breadwinner in the family."

“I know I don’t actually get it until I am 65, but it will be there when I need it, and if anything happens and I die it is there for my kids.”

Hodge is one of the legions of construction workers who are employed as so-called contractors. Sham contracting hides a boss-worker relationship by claiming the employee is a sole trader.

A Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union report earlier this year showed up to 168,000 workers in the construction sector were employed on sham contracts, with a loss in tax revenue to the government of $2.4 billion.

In response, the Federal Government and Australian Tax Office have announced an inquiry and a crackdown into the practice.

CFMEU NSW State Secretary Mal Tulloch says it is outrageous that an employee could work for someone for 11 years and not be paid their entitled superannuation.

"During that time, Wil was also missing out on holiday pay and sick pay – and when you have a mortgage and little kids to support that can mean the difference between getting ahead and scarping by.”

Tulloch says DMW Bricklaying has employed hundreds of brickies labourers and bricklayers over the past 11 years and as far as the union can determine has never paid superannuation.

“I am sure the boss of DMW Bricklaying hasn’t neglected his retirement investments during that period,” he says.

Tulloch says DMW Bricklaying works extensively for the Parramatta-based builder Skyton Developments.

“Almost all Mr Hodge’s work across the 11 years was on Skyton projects,” says Mr Tulloch.

“By law builders and developers are meant to ensure correct entitlements and workers’ compensation are being paid to subbies on their sites.

“Skyton has a moral obligation to ensure justice prevails and to ensure Mr Hodge’s is paid his retirement money.”

Show your support

If you have an RDO or just want to lend your support to a fellow comrade, get along to support Will. He'll definitely appreciate the effort.

Where: Skyton Developments, 31-37 Hassall Street, Parramatta.

The picket is taking place outside the front door as a stand for what is rightfully owed.

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