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12/11/2014
New Framework To Protect Workers' Pay And Conditions A Step Closer
Labour TD John Lyons has welcomed the publication of the General Scheme of a bill to replace the Registered Employment Agreements (REAs), that were struck down by the Supreme Court in 2013.
Mr Lyons said: "The Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2014, which was presented to the Oireachtas Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Committee today for pre-legislative scrutiny, will put in place a new framework to allow the setting of minimum rates of pay and conditions for workers in key sectors.
"The new system, as laid out in this Bill, gives both employers and employees much needed certainty. Workers will be ensured of decent industry terms and conditions. It also promotes high standards of training and qualifications in key sectors of our economy.
"Employers will have certainty around wage costs when they tender for contracts and make plans to expand their businesses, as the economy continues to recover. The Bill also promotes the prevention of industrial unrest in these sectors.
"Since the Supreme Court decision last year, between 70,000 and 80,000 workers in sectors such as the construction industry were only protected by the National Minimum Wage Act. The Government rightly agreed this was not in the public interest as it would have ensured a permanent race to the bottom that would not been in the interest of workers or employers.
"I commend my colleague Minister for Business and Employment Ged Nash TD for bringing these new protections a step closer and indeed for his efforts to establish a Low Pay Commission and introduce collective bargaining legislation for the first time."
(CD/JP)
Mr Lyons said: "The Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2014, which was presented to the Oireachtas Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Committee today for pre-legislative scrutiny, will put in place a new framework to allow the setting of minimum rates of pay and conditions for workers in key sectors.
"The new system, as laid out in this Bill, gives both employers and employees much needed certainty. Workers will be ensured of decent industry terms and conditions. It also promotes high standards of training and qualifications in key sectors of our economy.
"Employers will have certainty around wage costs when they tender for contracts and make plans to expand their businesses, as the economy continues to recover. The Bill also promotes the prevention of industrial unrest in these sectors.
"Since the Supreme Court decision last year, between 70,000 and 80,000 workers in sectors such as the construction industry were only protected by the National Minimum Wage Act. The Government rightly agreed this was not in the public interest as it would have ensured a permanent race to the bottom that would not been in the interest of workers or employers.
"I commend my colleague Minister for Business and Employment Ged Nash TD for bringing these new protections a step closer and indeed for his efforts to establish a Low Pay Commission and introduce collective bargaining legislation for the first time."
(CD/JP)
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