Reform of employment rights bodies must protect workers’ rights

Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe has said reform of the various employment rights bodies would be a welcome step but that there must be robust protections for the rights of ordinary workers.

Deputy Crowe was speaking following a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs Enterprise and Employment where Minister Richard Bruton was present to discuss his policy document on the issue. The document is entitled Legislating for a World-Class Workplace Relations Service.

Deputy Crowe said:

“Sinn Féin has engaged constructively with the Minister’s consultation process on proposed reforms. From the outset we have made it clear that any reform should not limit the ability of workers to vindicate their rights at the behest of certain business lobbies. Ultimately, if they are to have any value, reforms must bolster the rights of workers.

“The Minister’s latest discussion document appears to have taken on some of the submissions made by Sinn Féin and other groups including the Trade Union Movement. We welcome the automatic right of appeal to the Labour Court and that this document bins the earlier proposal to introduce a €50 fee for Hearings and Appeals.

“The specific role of the Registrar seems to have been further qualified and will be subject to significant oversight but we will reserve judgement on this matter until we see this in actual legislation.

“It is a pity the Minister has refused to listen to the view expressed in many submissions that a six month time limit to make a claim is inadequate. This should be extended to 12 months at a minimum and provisions regarding compliance need to be strengthened. We also believe that some forms of restitution need to be put in place which act as a deterrent and are punitive when necessary.

“We hope these issues will be resolved before these proposals are brought to legislation.

“A lot of important work is still outstanding in relation to workers’ rights and their entitlements which need to be resolved before those proposals are brought to a successful conclusion.”