Increased abuse of transport workers requires urgent action
Labour’s Transport Spokesperson Duncan Smith TD has called on the Minister for Transport to urgently allocate necessary resources to protect public transport workers following the release of a damning survey conducted by SIPTU.
Deputy Smith said:
“The findings of the SIPTU survey are deeply concerning and highlight an unacceptable situation that demands immediate action. 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. The survey uncovered a significant surge in abusive behaviour towards transport workers, with a particularly distressing trend of mistreatment towards workers from ethnic minorities.
“The safety and well-being of our transport workers must be paramount, and it is clear that current measures are insufficient to protect them from the rising tide of abuse. We fully support SIPTU’s call for the establishment of a dedicated security unit to alleviate this pressing issue and ensure the safety of our transport workers.
“I have written this morning to the Oireachtas Transport Committee to demand a thorough discussion of the SIPTU survey findings without delay. It is imperative that we identify and implement best practices from other countries to safeguard the rights and dignity of our transport workers.
“There has never been a more important time to focus on and defend our transport workers. These people are the backbone of our economy, particularly as we strive to become more conscious of our carbon footprint. We call on the Minister for Transport to heed this urgent call and provide the necessary resources and support to ensure the safety and well-being of our transport workers.”