Irish Congress of Trade Unions warns of industrial unrest if there is ‘further backsliding' on workers' rights
Owen Reidy, general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, was speaking following a meeting with opposition parties today.
He said the meeting was convened to discuss concerns about the Government's 'continued erosion of workers' rights'.
Senior union officials including Mr Reidy met with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Social Democrat acting leader Cian O'Callaghan and Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik.
Mr Reidy listed a number of planned worker entitlements that have been delayed.
He said last month the Government announced it would delay the introduction of a living wage until 2029.
Mr Reidy said proposals to abolish wage rates for young people that are below the minimum wage were also postponed, sick pay was not extended and the introduction of pension auto-enrolment was delayed.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said in a statement that it has re-iterated that any further backsliding on workers' rights could result in industrial unrest, and urged opposition parties to support workers during economic turbulence.
"We were pleased to meet with opposition leaders today and share the clear message from union members and low paid workers nationwide: by breaking their promises, and rowing back on basic protections, the Government has plunged thousands of low paid workers into economic uncertainty,' said Mr Reidy.
He said global economic turbulence should not be used as an excuse to 'short-change' workers.
Mr Reidy said he was heartened to hear strong support for these workers from opposition politicians. 'We believe that political pressure is critical in ensuring government lives up to its commitments, and I look forward to working closely with all parties to make this happen,' he said.
A living wage worth 60pc of national median wages had been due to be introduced next year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Legislation to update child sex abuse material terminology should be a 'no-brainer', says senator
Legislation to change terminology around the portrayal of child sex abuse material online will come before the Seanad this week. The Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (Amendment) Bill 2022 will be voted on at third stage in the Seanad on Wednesday. It seeks to replace the term "child pornography" in legislation including the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 and the Child Trafficking and Pornography (Amendment) Act 2004. One of the sponsors of the bill, senator Eileen Flynn, said the legislation should be a 'no-brainer for the Government', adding that bringing it in will not cost money and will 'have a dramatic impact on the victims, the children". Ms Flynn says the use of the term 'child pornography' implies that consent has been given, which a child is not in a position to give, she said. Reflective of reality She said the term 'child sexual abuse material' is more reflective of the reality, and she believes that Irish law should echo that. She also pointed to the Luxembourg guidelines, accepted by a group of 18 organisations including the UN, which advocate that nations should replace 'child pornography' with 'child sexual abuse material'. Mecpaths, an organisation which works to raise awareness of child trafficking in Ireland, has been supportive of the bill since its introduction three years ago. The organisation's networks and communications manager, JP O'Sullivan, said: 'The recognition of images of child sexual abuse for what they are is a significant step in acknowledging the harm, the abuse, and the exploitation of children. "A child can never consent to their own exploitation, so a change in the terminology is crucial for the State in recognising this. We commend the senator for her efforts, and call on the support of all professionals working with vulnerable children to lend their support to this change."
Extra.ie
6 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Plan to lift 2% pressure zones rent cap is a blow to tenants
The Government is planning to remove the 2% rental increase cap in Rent Pressure Zones and allow accommodation costs to increase in line with inflation. The move is likely to see landlords increase rents to what the market can stand, leaving many renters unable to save for a deposit to buy their own property. However, Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan told RTÉ: 'If we do nothing, the Rent Pressure Zone legislation is going to expire at the end of December this year, so something has to be done and obviously we've also got to stimulate private sector investment because this is an issue that requires decision by Government.' The new proposals are due before Cabinet tomorrow. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan. Pic: Leah Farrell/ He was responding to comments made by Mark McCaffrey of the homelessness charity Threshold who said: 'This [proposal] will push people into homelessness.' The minister, in response, said: 'I can't comment on the memo that's going to Government. I haven't seen it. 'I would have thought from my knowledge of Cabinet colleagues and what's in the Programme for Government that renters will be central to the decisions that are to be made on this by Government.' It is understood a range of measures will be agreed by the Government, aimed at giving financially stretched renters a minimum level of occupier security. The new measures will result in a package for existing renters that will amount to no change if they stay in their current tenancy, it is believed. However, when a property has a new tenant, a landlord can reset the rent at the current market rate but increases after that would be capped at the existing 2% rate. It is understood a range of measures will be agreed by the Government, aimed at giving financially stretched renters a minimum level of occupier security. Pic: Shutterstock There will also be protections for new renters under legislation expected in the coming weeks, it is understood. It will provide security of tenure for a minimum of six years and the landlord can then reset the rent to the market rate. It is being viewed as the ending of no-fault evictions for the first time in the State. However, Social Democrats' housing spokesman Rory Hearne said: 'Removing the 2% rent cap means throwing 'generation rent' to vulture fund landlords to pay for Government housing failures. 'This Government is caving to corporate landlord lobbyists and choosing to throw renters to the wolves.'
RTÉ News
7 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Govt bid to reform rent cap will put tenants at risk
Eoin Ó Broin, Dublin Mid-West TD and Sinn Féin's spokesman on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, discusses the changes to Rent Pressure Zones that will go to cabinet tomorrow (Tuesday).
