The Government has been called on to honour its commitments to increase statutory sick pay entitlements, introduce a living wage and draw up a realistic plan to increase collective bargaining in the Irish economy, with SIPTU stating that any roll back on these measures will be vigorously opposed.
SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Greg Ennis, said: “This Government was elected on a platform which included an increase in Statutory Occupational Sick Pay from five days to seven days, a move towards the minimum wage becoming a living wage and the end to discriminatory pay rates for the young. It has thrown these commitments on the bonfire without the slightest concern for workers and their families.
“The level of opposition to this U-turn is evident in a recent Red C poll published in the Sunday Business Post, indicating that 56% oppose it and only 24% support it. What should give the Government even more concern is that a clear majority of those who voted for both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael oppose the delays in introducing these measures.”
He added: “If the Government does not respect the will of the people and honour its commitments it will face a major mobilisation by workers, many of whom are struggling to keep a roof over their head while enduring some of the most inadequate protections for employees in Europe. People are angry at the arrogance of this Government and broken promises, if it does not pay heed it will result in action on these issues by workers and their families across the country.”
SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Ethel Buckley, said: “SIPTU made a submission to the public consultation process on Ireland’s action plan to promote collective bargaining, earlier this month. The EU Directive of Adequate Minimum Wages calls on the governments of EU Member States to draw up an action plan to increase collective bargaining coverage in their economies to over 80%, in Ireland it is estimated to currently be under 35%.”
She added: “In their submission our members have called on the Government to heed the instruction of the EU Commission and draw up an action plan which includes realistic measures to increase the level of collective bargaining in Ireland, in line with the spirt of the EU Directive of Adequate Minimum Wages. This is also what Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, committed to when he signed the Respect at Work pledge in the run up to the 2024 General Election.”