Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 April 2024
121. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of times the Labour Employer Economic Forum subgroup on collective bargaining has met in 2024; and if he can provisionally indicate when the action plan on collective bargaining coverage to be presented to the European Commission as part of its transposition of the EU directive on adequate minimum wages will be published. [16834/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEEF Subgroup on the implementation of the High Level working Group's recommendations met on 29 June 2023 and 16 November 2023.
Updates on these issues were also provided at the LEEF plenary meeting with social partners on 20 November 2023 and 26 February 2024.
In addition to the LEEF plenary and subgroup discussions, a technical working group has been established this year with the social partners to examine the collective bargaining aspects of the EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages. This group met on 19 February 2024 and 25 March 2024. The meetings of the technical group have been constructive. The technical group will meet again in the coming weeks to look at the social partners’ proposals with regard to the EU Directive and Ireland’s action plan.
In addition to this work on the EU Directive and the action plan, my Department is fully engaged in implementation of the recommendations contained it the LEEF High Level Group Report on Collective Bargaining. Many elements of this report are already being progressed by the WRC and the Labour Court. Other recommendations, which would require significant legislative change, are being considered by the Office of the Attorney General as they may have significant constitutional implications. It was agreed with the social partners that the LEEF Subgroup will meet again as soon as full legal advice has been considered.
