WASTE giant Sita Sembcorp has defended its working practices following accusations of undercutting and exploitation.

As revealed in yesterday’s Morning Star, trade union Unite has alleged that some Romanian workers employed at the partnership’s Wilton 11 plant in Redcar have not been paid for two months.

Union activists have held regular unofficial pickets at the site gates in protest at the use of European labour paid below agreed rates.

In a statement responding to Unite’s claims, Sita Sembcorp did not refer specifically to non-payment.

But it said: “Sita Sembcorp UK will, of course, investigate any genuine concern made to us by a member of the workforce employed by any one of more than 30 contractors on site, in respect of their terms and conditions of employment.

“We take employment matters seriously and will investigate.”