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18/08/2011
Bruton Revises Employment Rights Bodies
Proposals for a single structure to replace five employment rights bodies have been revealed.
The Irish Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton has published his consultation paper on reform of the State's employment rights and industrial relations structures, and invited submissions from interested parties by 16th September.
The proposals are aimed at providing Ireland with a world-class employment rights system, as well as reducing costs for taxpayers and users of the system.
The proposals published by the Minister include a new integrated two-tier structure to replace the five existing employment rights bodies and that individuals would always be able to take their own case and would not have to rely on a legal representative, a representative body or a labour inspector.
It also covers the development of shared services and integration of back office functions will ensure greater efficiency and savings and will ensure support to ensure that speedy resolution can occur at workplace level.
Also, all related cases would be taken at the same hearing in a system that should be easier to understand and use.
Making the announcement, the Minister said: "I am publishing my plan and announcing a short period of consultation with stakeholders so that we can ensure speedy but robust reforms.
"As I have said before, our employment rights bodies which have grown up in a haphazard manner over the years are not fit for purpose.
"Workers seeking to enforce their rights face waiting times of up to 80 weeks, more than 35 different forms, six different websites, and generally bewildering complexity.
"Abuses go undetected; yet compliant employers too often find themselves embroiled in costly and time-consuming hearings. And the whole thing costs too much for the taxpayer," he said.
"An effective system would see more grievances resolved in the workplace.
"Most workers and trade unions do not want to rely on employment law to vindicate their rights, and high standards in the workplace can be a source of competitive advantage for businesses," he concluded.
(BMcC)
The Irish Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton has published his consultation paper on reform of the State's employment rights and industrial relations structures, and invited submissions from interested parties by 16th September.
The proposals are aimed at providing Ireland with a world-class employment rights system, as well as reducing costs for taxpayers and users of the system.
The proposals published by the Minister include a new integrated two-tier structure to replace the five existing employment rights bodies and that individuals would always be able to take their own case and would not have to rely on a legal representative, a representative body or a labour inspector.
It also covers the development of shared services and integration of back office functions will ensure greater efficiency and savings and will ensure support to ensure that speedy resolution can occur at workplace level.
Also, all related cases would be taken at the same hearing in a system that should be easier to understand and use.
Making the announcement, the Minister said: "I am publishing my plan and announcing a short period of consultation with stakeholders so that we can ensure speedy but robust reforms.
"As I have said before, our employment rights bodies which have grown up in a haphazard manner over the years are not fit for purpose.
"Workers seeking to enforce their rights face waiting times of up to 80 weeks, more than 35 different forms, six different websites, and generally bewildering complexity.
"Abuses go undetected; yet compliant employers too often find themselves embroiled in costly and time-consuming hearings. And the whole thing costs too much for the taxpayer," he said.
"An effective system would see more grievances resolved in the workplace.
"Most workers and trade unions do not want to rely on employment law to vindicate their rights, and high standards in the workplace can be a source of competitive advantage for businesses," he concluded.
(BMcC)
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