Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 November 2016
211. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to the publication of the autumn legislative programme, when legislative proposals regarding protections for workers on insecure, low-hour contracts will be published in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33195/16]
View answerMy colleague, Minister Mitchell O’Connor, and I intend to bring forward proposals in this area for consideration by Government. In this respect, work is well advanced on developing a policy response to the University of Limerick (UL) study on zero hour contracts and low hour contracts.
The policy response is being informed by the UL study itself as well as the extensive material and practical examples provided by respondents to the public consultation conducted by my Department. Our proposals will address the issue of workers on low hour contracts who consistently work more hours each week but whose contracts do not reflect the reality of their hours. The proposals will also seek to ensure that employees are better informed about the nature of their employment arrangements and their core terms and conditions at an early stage in their employment. Furthermore, I intend to include provisions aimed particularly at low-paid, more vulnerable workers.
My Department is currently engaged in a dialogue process with ICTU and IBEC to secure broad agreement before proposals are finalised. This work is being progressed as expeditiously as possible.
