Edmond Margjini: CFMEU under pressure to stand down Perth official amid charges relating to home invasion

Pressure is mounting on the CFMEU to stand down an official who a police prosecutor says was a standover man for bikies after the union was thrown into chaos by reports it had been infiltrated by underworld heavies.

Revelations about disturbing links between the construction union and organised crime kingpins have thrown the spotlight on Edmond “Monty” Margjini, a former Albanian cage fighter facing charges relating to a violent home invasion during which a woman was attacked in Perth.

The 46-year-old was arrested just before Christmas after fresh forensic evidence allegedly linked him to a towel stuffed into the mouth of the victim.

He has been working as a CFMEU official and is seen regularly at city work sites.

“It’s no wonder every worker prefers EBA jobs — they guarantee fair wages and safe working conditions,” Mr Margjini recently posted on Facebook.

“Our union leaders fought tirelessly to secure them. I’m proud to support their efforts and continue the fight for workers’ rights.”

CFMEU State secretary Mick Buchan is under pressure to look into Mr Margjini after Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus called for the construction union to stand down people who were subject to criminal allegations.

“I want to make this very clear, there’s no place, no place whatsoever, for criminal activity in unions,” she said.

In April, Mr Margjini pleaded not guilty to the allegations from June 2011. He is accused of entering the Rockingham home dressed in a black balaclava and armed with a machete.

The police prosecutor told the court at the bail hearing that Mr Margjini had been a “standover figure” for outlaw motorcycle gangs which caused “victims and witnesses to withdraw their prosecutions”.

Police told the court that he threatened the woman, allegedly holding the weapon against her throat and demanding money.

The court was told that when the woman tried to fight back, Mr Margjini tried to shove a towel into her mouth.

It was this item cold case detectives had re-examined, which was found to contain DNA that allegedly matched the former Sword Boy gangster.

Mr Margjini has been charged with deprivation of liberty, aggravated burglary, criminal damage and attempting to steal.

“UnionsWA wholeheartedly supports the statements made by Sally McManus and the ACTU,” UnionsWA secretary Owen Whittle said.

“We agree entirely that there must be no tolerance for anyone using a union for their criminal activities. UnionsWA endorses the ACTU’s leadership on this matter.

“We will participate in the meeting of the ACTU Executive on Wednesday to consider these matters further.”

A CFMEU spokesperson said the live court action involving Mr Margjini meant “the CFMEU will not make any further comment regarding Mr Margjini at this time”.

Relations between UnionsWA and the CFMEU have been fractious since this year’s May Day parade.

The peak union body launched an internal investigation into the May 5 celebration of workers’ rights after members of the construction union jumped on cars during the march through Fremantle and reportedly yelled union chants during the Welcome to Country and opening speech at The Esplanade.

The CFMEU has donated $25,000 to the WA Labor Party since July 1.

WA Labor State secretary Ellie Whiteaker declined to comment.

In June 2023, the Fair Work Commission deemed Mr Margjini a “fit and proper person” and granted him a right of entry permit despite being aware of his criminal history.

Entry permits give union officials the right to enter work premises to meet employees or investigate breaches of the Fair Work Act.