Latest news with #ICTU
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- General
- RTÉ News
Workers to observe nationwide moment of reflection for Gaza
Workers across Ireland are expected to participate in a moment of reflection at lunchtime today amid the going violence in Gaza. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has asked that at 1:05pm, participating workers mark a moment of respectful reflection, as a simple act of solidarity and remembrance for the loss of life over the past eighteen months. Today is the International UN Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression. "As the appalling violence in Gaza continues, our members asked that the trade union movement lead in reflecting on this terrible loss of life," said ICTU General Secretary Owen Reidy. "Since announcing the moment of reflection last week, we have been heartened by the response from the 800,000 union members across the island." "The UN Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on these tragic events and their devastating impact on the people of Gaza, particularly the children who have suffered so greatly," Mr Reidy said. Workers who wish to participate are encouraged to observe the moment of reflection respectfully, whether in their workplace, at home, or wherever they may be. ICTU said the moment of reflection is not a work stoppage, and is encouraging participating workers to coordinate with their employers where possible. SIPTU staff and members will stage a solidarity action at 1.05pm, on Butt Bridge in Dublin across from the 'Ceasefire Now' banner on the side of Liberty Hall.
The Journal
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Denis O'Brien says remote working is a 'load of nonsense' - do you agree?
REMOTE WORK HAS compromised Ireland's work ethic, according to Denis O'Brien. 'This lark of people saying, 'I'll come into the office on Tuesday and Wednesday; otherwise I'm going to be working at home', is a load of nonsense,' the businessman said at the Irish Investor Awards, as reported in The Currency. Advertisement 'I don't employ those kinds of people, and to be honest with you, I never will'. However, Laura Bambrick of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) argued that it should be a 'red flag' for workers if an employer insists on five days in the office. She suggested that this shows disregard for work-life balance. So tell us: Do you think that remote working is a 'load of nonsense'? Poll Results: No (215) Yes (69) Unsure/I have mixed feelings (30) Yes No Unsure/I have mixed feelings Vote
Irish Independent
29-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
New delay to mandatory pension a ‘bitter pill to swallow' for workers
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said the 811,000 workers would be impacted by the decision of Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary to push the start date from September this year to next January. The scheme has been planned for 20 years now. Minister Calleary said the commencement of the collection of contributions for the scheme, called 'My Future Fund', was being moved to align the new system with the tax year. He said it is also being delayed to give additional time for payroll providers, especially smaller ones, to ready their systems for the launch. Delaying the introduction of the mandatory scheme will also give additional lead-in time for employers, particularly small and micro businesses, to ensure they can be compliant with the legislation from the start, he said. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) said it was disappointed with the latest delay. It said: 'First, this decision must be viewed in the context of Government decisions taken in the past two weeks. 'The promised 10 days sick pay is to be halved to five days, despite evidence from their own business impact assessment not supporting a row-back, the living wage commitment is to be kicked out for three years, and a decision on the Low Pay Commission recommendation to abolish sub-minimum rates for young workers is to be deferred indefinitely.' ICTU said auto-enrolment has been on the cards for a whole 20 years. And businesses and payroll services providers have already had a 15-month lead-in time from the passing of the legislation, when the details of the scheme were known, and the commencement order was signed a full year in advance of the planned September 30, 2025, start date. ADVERTISEMENT 'Delaying bringing an end to our failed voluntary approach to occupational pensions will be a bitter pill to swallow for the 811,000 workers without a workplace pension and facing their income and living standards plummet in retirement,' the trade union body said. A recent survey of pension advisers, undertaken by leading pension trustees, Independent Trustee Company (ITC), found that three in 10 expected the rollout to be delayed again. They expect it to be postponed by at least another two years. Many of them are also calling on the Government to remove the limits on the amounts that can be saved into pensions through auto-enrolment. This would give people a better chance of saving up an adequate pension through the scheme. The survey of 130 pension advisers found that 8pc expect it to be later than 2028 or 'never' by the time auto-enrolment is rolled out. The new scheme is designed to help over 800,000 workers to begin saving for their retirement. All employees not already in an occupational pension scheme, aged between 23-60 and earning over €20,000 across all of their employments, will be automatically enrolled in the new scheme. It will be gradually phased in over a decade, with both employer and employee contributions starting at 1.5pc and increasing every three years by 1.5pc until they eventually reach 6pc by year 10. The State will top up contributions by €1 for every €3 saved by the employee. This is in addition to the €3 that will also be contributed by the employer. Eligible employees will be automatically enrolled but will have the choice after six months participation to opt-out or suspend participation.
Belfast Telegraph
28-04-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Employment law plans most significant since Good Friday Argreement
Caoimhe Archibald said the 'ambitious' proposals in the Good Jobs Bill included tackling zero-hour contracts, improvements to family-related leave and strengthened rights for trade unions. The proposals also aimed to enhance protections for agency workers, ensure tips were passed on to workers in full and easier access to flexible working arrangements. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) welcomed the proposals and said it provided an opportunity for the Executive to create 'a meaningful legacy for every working family in Northern Ireland'. Retail NI said it was important the legislation did not overburden small businesses, while People Before Profit said the Bill was 'underwhelming'. Ms Archibald outlined the proposals in her employment legislation to the Assembly on Monday, and said it marked 'a significant milestone'. It follows on from a public consultation carried out last year which sought views on updating employment law. 'It is the start of a process which will see the biggest upgrade to our employment legislation since the Good Friday Agreement,' she said. 'The proposals that I am bringing forward today are ambitious but I believe they are balanced in terms of being effective for both workers and for businesses. 'We had a consultation period and over 190 responses and that gave us a really good insight into the views of both employers and workers and students and beyond. 'The proposals we have brought forward have been shaped by what we have been told. 'They are wide ranging, they include the banning of exploitative zero-hours contracts, enhanced access to family-related leave, increased flexibility for workers, increased and strengthened rights for trade unions. 'I believe that this is an ambitious programme of work.' ICTU assistant general secretary Gerry Murphy said: 'The NI Executive has the opportunity to create a meaningful legacy for every working family in Northern Ireland by approving a new employment bill for the NI Assembly and its Economy Committee to debate its proposals and amend as necessary, all the way from first reading to royal assent.' He added: 'Much of what is proposed isn't radical — it represents basic, long-overdue modernisation to bring Northern Ireland's employment rights in line with standards already in place in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. 'It's important to be clear that this is not the final Bill. The real test will come in whether these proposals lead to strong, enforceable rights that deliver for working people.' Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts said it was 'important' that the Bill 'works for businesses and employees alike'. 'Many of our members have had concerns with new employment laws in the past that created more bureaucracy and paperwork,' he said. 'It is vital that this is not the case with this proposed legislation. 'Given that many small businesses and independent retailers are struggling with the 'cost-of-doing-business crisis', we will be working to ensure that that the Good Jobs Bill does not add to that burden.' People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll called the Bill 'underwhelming' and 'a modest step in the right direction'. 'However, this can fairly be characterised as a 'catch-up' Bill, rather than an effort to genuinely end exploitation and oppression in the workplace,' he said. 'A majority of the proposals are designed to make sure workers in the north benefit from the same basic protections recently introduced – or soon to come into force – in Britain. 'The minister has refused to implement an outright ban on zero-hours contracts, as promised in New Decade, New Approach. 'Carers will be let down by the proposal for just one week of unpaid leave per year, and left out of pocket for caring for a loved one. 'The mislabelled 'right to disconnect' will be established through a code of practice, rather than enshrined in law.' He added: 'This is a missed opportunity to shift the balance of power away from bosses and towards workers, and establish the conditions for sectoral collective bargaining.'
RTÉ News
27-04-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Unions call for more safety representatives within workplaces
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) have called on more organisations to support and facilitate the appointment of safety representatives within their workplaces to help prevent injuries, illnesses and deaths. The appeal comes on Workers' Memorial Day, which is dedicated to remembering workers who have lost their lives or been injured at work. A national commemorative ceremony will be held at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin this morning. 34 people were killed in workplace incidents in 2024 and two thirds of all fatalities occurred to those aged 55 and over. Agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for 12 fatalities, all of which were farming incidents representing over a third of all fatalities from a sector employing just 4% of the workforce. The construction sector saw a decline from ten fatalities in 2023 to 5 in 2024. Safety representatives are workers who serve as liaisons between management and staff, advocating for effective safety protocols. "Under the current legislation, employees are entitled to elect a safety representative to represent them on safety and health matters with their employer," said Owen Reidy, General Secretary of the ICTU. "There are thousands of trade union safety representatives in workplaces nationwide, but we need more." "Together we can honour the memory of fallen workers, create safer workplaces, and protect lives," he added. 447 people died in work-related incidents in Ireland over the past decade and many thousands more have been injured or made ill because of work. "We've made significant strides since the inception of the Health and Safety Authority in 1989, evident in the halving of the fatality rate," said Mark Cullen, Chief Inspector with the Health and Safety Authority. "However, every work-related death is preventable. Vigilance and advance planning around health and safety at work is crucial to lowering the number of deaths further," he added. The commemoration event will be addressed by the Minister of State with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond. "One death is one too many," Mr Richmond said. "Every workplace should prioritise the health and safety of its employees and do all in its power to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths," he added. Trade union calls for extreme weather legislation Meanwhile the Unite trade union is calling for extreme weather legislation to climate-proof workplace health and safety. To mark Workers' Memorial Day the union has released the results of a survey of more than 570 union members carried out following Storm Éowyn. It shows that 55% of respondents did not feel safe travelling to and from work during the storm. Of those who had to work outdoors on the day of the storm, over half of respondents did not feel their employer had taken all reasonable precautions to make work safe. Unite's proposals include an obligation on employers to conduct risk assessments during extreme weather events, cease all routine outdoor work during orange alerts and cease all non-essential work during red alerts, with workers continuing to be paid during such closures. The union is also proposing four days of paid climate leave. "Our survey exposes that many workers felt unsafe working and travelling during Storm Éowyn, while some employers even attempted to shift the financial cost of closure onto workers by insisting, they take a day's leave," said Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham. "On International Workers' Memorial Day, we are demanding that the government climate-proof health and safety laws to ensure that workers' lives and incomes are protected during extreme weather," Ms Graham said.
