Subcontractors protest against Cooper & Oxley over $5 million in unpaid wages

Around 100 subcontractors have protested outside Cooper & Oxley's unfinished Subiaco development yesterday, demanding payment from the company. 

The workers claim that, between them, they're owed around $5 million for works they completed in December and January but weren't paid for, before the major Perth builder went into administration last month. 

Subcontractors WA claims the developer company, Dradgin, didn't pay Cooper & Oxley and so the Singapore-registered client should be coughing up. 

But Dradgin denies owing any money to the builder.

It's a messy state of affairs, but subcontractors have been caught in the crosshairs - claiming at least two business owners have folded as a result while others are facing the loss of their homes and some are owed six-figure amounts. 

"It's been massive... we're probably about $600,000 out of pocket," said Andy Whitehouse from Whitehouse Construction Services.

"It's just hard times... we've had to lay off some staff."

Rob Innocent from Denmac Constructions also said he and his mates are struggling. 

"One of the chaps as I understand is going to lose his house, I think he was owed $50,000-$60,000," he said.

"For him, that's a huge amount of money." 

The saga has now dragged on for more than a month but subcontractors say they won't stop fighting.