Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 February 2023
113. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on a report (details supplied) which was commissioned by a trade union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9001/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra135. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his response to the report by an organisation (details supplied) which shows that nearly two-thirds of retail workers are earning less than €451 per week. [8584/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 135 together.
I would like to assure the deputies that I welcome the report insofar as it raises issues that will start a dialogue around the review of some very important employment rights legislation.
The Government is committed to supporting workers and has a strong record on strengthening and introducing new workers’ rights. These include the introduction of statutory sick pay, protection of tips and a new bank holiday in 2022.
My Department closely monitors national and international developments and relevant case law from the Workplace Relations Commission, Labour Court and High Court to keep Ireland’s extensive suite of employment rights legislation current and fit for purpose.
On that basis, I have written to the WRC requesting that they review both the Code of Practice on Part Time Work and the Employment Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2018 to assess the overall effectiveness of the suite of protections for Part Time Workers. It is timely that a comprehensive review of both the Code and the Act of 2018 is carried out now.
