Labour demands attention on transport workers safety
- Smith writes to Oireachtas Transport Committee
Labour transport spokesperson Duncan Smith has written to the Oireachtas Transport Committee seeking an urgent discussion of the concerning findings from a SIPTU survey of transport workers safety.
Deputy Smith said:
“Our city and country simply would not move without these workers, so it is deeply concerning to learn of the depth and breadth of abuse, mistreatment and harassment that transport workers face.
“It seems that violence and anti-social behaviour is now a daily part of the job. The most outrageous example of this was during the Dublin riots last November. Despite this, Government have failed to step up and be on the side of our transport workers.
“I have written this morning to the Oireachtas Transport Committee to demand a thorough discussion of the SIPTU report without delay. We need to identify best practices in other countries to safeguard these workers’ rights.
“There has never been a more important time to focus on and defend our transport workers. These people are the future of our economy as we all attempt to become more conscious in terms of our carbon footprint.
“As our capital and country expands, we will need to see more transport workers hired at scale. To encourage more people into a career in transport, the bare minimum must be that workplaces are safe and secure.”