Dublin South West TD, Seán Crowe, attending the launch of the Mandate Trade Union’s ‘Secure Hours- Better Future’ charter, described the Government’s current proposals for secure hours as not fit for purpose. The Sinn Féin TD said that these workers will still be forced to live on poverty wages and into a position where they cannot plan for the future of their families.

Speaking ahead of the Dáil debate on the issue this afternoon, Deputy Crowe said:

“It is simply outrageous that certain employers continue to keep the bulk of their staff on part-time flexible contracts. This is pushing these people into poverty and into a position where they cannot plan for the future of their families.

“It creates undue hardship as parents try to juggle with child care arrangements and families cannot be sure of what they will earn from one end of the month to the other.

“Last year Sinn Féin introduced a Bill in the Dáil that would allow a worker to get a contract that was reflective of their actual week, instead of the current situation were those on if-and-when contracts are unable to plan their lives more than the current one week in advance situation.

“It should be on its way to Committee for amendments but it is being held up via the money message mechanism – the latest stalling tactic of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil when it comes to successful opposition Bills.

“Workers need protection now and I will continue to work to achieve that for them.

“I have signed Mandate Trade Union’s ‘Secure Hours – Better Future’ charter. This charter calls for the banning of zero hour practices including exploitative if-and-when contracts. It also facilitates and provides workers with secure hour contracts that reflect the reality of their average weekly hours that they have worked.”

ENDS