I appreciate that the Minister of State, Deputy Fitzgerald, is in the House as she is exceptionally busy. It is an indication of the seriousness with which she views the issue.
Ireland is the only EU country which does not have effective legislation governing the hours of trading, in particular, Sunday and public holiday trading. It is unacceptable that the way should be left clear for a few powerful retailers rather than elected representatives setting the agenda. Legislation must be introduced to regulate Sunday trading as the current legislative vacuum is leading to a free for all. Inevitably, the victime will be the weakest players on the retail scene — small and medium sized shops and workers.
Dunnes Stores led the way by opening on Sundays and public holidays in 15 centres. Available evidence shows that there has been a noticeable reduction in the trade experienced by other outlets and small and medium sized retailers bear the economic brunt of social change. Corner shops find it increasingly difficult to compete with large chainstores and the decision by some large retailers to commence Sunday trading places pressure on other retailers to do likewise.
Workers in the retail sector see their jobs threatened by "hire as you like" casual labour. In Dunnes Stores, fewer than 10 per cent of staff are full-time and so-called "zero hour" contracts are fast becoming the norm. Staff must be available to work throughout the week but are not guaranteed work at any time. When I hear of these conditions I need to remind myself that this is 1995.
Dunnes Stores introduced contracts making Sunday work compulsory at a fixed rate of pay rather than offering double time as is the industrial norm. Not surprisingly, these contracts are fast turning into the straw that broke the worker's back. Looking at the record of Dunnes through the years one would have thought the workers would have arrived at that position earlier.
Dunnes Stores workers are due to strike on 19 June and if there is an allout picket there will be a boycott on deliveries to the main chain by members of other unions. This will have an knock-on effect on suppliers and will lead in the long term to job losses. I am not only talking about Sunday trading; I am talking about an entire industry coming to a halt.
People will ask how one can legislate to allow corner shops, public houses, garden centres and DIY shops open on Sundays and prohibit other shops from doing so. This can be done by prohibiting retailers with a floor space above a certain level from trading on Sundays. Unregulated Sunday trading not only disturbs the lives of workers, it disrupts the lives of their families and suppliers. If Sunday trading is allowed to continue unhindered it will fundamentally alter our family centred culture. Legislation on Sunday trading will not deal with the other problems of the Dunnes Stores workers, for example, zero hour contracts, no standard pension plan and no sick pay scheme. Recently Dunnes Stores celebrated 50 years in business by giving away cars. Do the people who won these cars realise how this company treats its workers? It is a disgrace and must be taken on by someone. I support the workers and MANDATE in this regard.
I thank the Minister of State for being in the House. The EU directive on working hours will do nothing to solve the Sunday trading issue or the problems of the Dunnes Stores workers. We need to legislate to ban Sunday trading and to ensure that people working in retail outlets, the majority of whom are women, can spend time with their families. I accept that the Dunnes Stores issue is a matter for another day but I hope the Minister will keep it in mind.
