Catering staff are amongst the most exploited and lowest paid workers in Ireland. Figures released by the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) last year show that its inspectors found 73 per cent of the 1,059 Catering establishments inspected were in breach of the law and NERA recouped over €682,239 in unpaid wages for staff.
Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) published a report that showed an even higher rate of non-compliance by restaurants, including:
- 53% of staff earned less than the minimum wage
- 85% did not receive overtime pay
- 85% did not receive extra pay for Sunday work
- 44% did not get rest breaks
- 48% did not receive bank holiday pay
- 84% did not receive a contract of terms of employment.
These are not just statistics; they are abuses that are happening to workers everyday.
Catering workers need to be more aware of their rights. NERA and MRCI findings show that even basic legislation is being ignored, including acts covering the national minimum wage, payment of wages, working time, rest breaks and holiday entitlements.
In the present economic climate too many employers see the denial of employment rights as an easy way to save money. They trade on the fact that many catering workers do not know their rights.
SIPTU believe that only by organising workers within the catering industry, and making them aware of there rights, can we stop the exploitation that exists, and improve the terms, conditions and pay of catering workers.
Previous and Next: Eurest & MCS | Your Rights