Ireland laid bare as a cold place for workers’ rights

• Major breach of European Social Charter reveals how out of step Irish worker protections are
• A right to collective bargaining with stiff penalties needed for anyone found to be impeding workers from organising in a trade union

Labour workers’ rights spokesperson Marie Sherlock said tonight (Wednesday, 22nd March) that the major breach of the European Social Charter reveals how out of step Irish worker protections are and that major reform is urgently needed.

Senator Sherlock said:

"Ireland’s hostile environment to worker’s rights is laid bare in this report today. It is a vindication of the long running demand by trade unions and Labour Party for workers to have the right to be recognised for collective bargaining purposes.

"The findings reveal a deplorable situation for workers. The Labour Party is committed to legislating for a right to collective bargaining with stiff penalties for anyone found to be impeding workers from organising in a trade union.

“The Council of Europe has identified nine policy breaches in which Ireland violated the European Social Charter. Many of these breaches are issues which have been the subject of sustained campaigning here by unions over many years; the sub minimum rates of the national minimum wage whereby adults aged 18 and 19 are treated like children for pay purposes, the ban on trade union status for military representative organisations, the ban on a right to strike for members of An Garda Síochána, the lack of a right to switch off and recognition of after-hours work.

The EU directive on Adequate Minimum Wages which is due to be transposed by the end of next year has the potential to ensure that workers in Ireland can benefit from sectoral wage agreements.

"However there is a real concern that the current Government will opt to do the bare minimum. The damning report from the Council of Europe report today highlights that workers need to have a right to organise and to bargain collectively. Ultimately, workers will only be able to secure decent improvements to their terms and conditions if they are organised. On a brighter note, the Council positively noted the introduction of Coco’s law which was spearheaded by my colleague Deputy Brendan Howlin."