Construction jobs fall 70% in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s construction workforce has plummeted by 70% in the past 12 months, according to a new survey.

The Construction & Property group poll shows 1,550 builders have lost their jobs in the 12 months since July 2007.

The new industry body was set up in July in response to difficulties facing workers in the industry and has called for government intervention to avoid recession.

The group’s secretary Brendan Cunnane told the Belfast Telegraph there was a real fear of total market failure.

He said: “Using our figures, we believe that tens of thousands of jobs have already disappeared or they are most certainly at risk.

“We have reached a position where building on many sites across the province has completely ground to a halt.”