Cllr. Ciarán Ahern “Disappointed” by Workplace Equality Report Findings
Labour General Election candidate Cllr. Ciarán Ahern has expressed concern over the findings of a recent Workplace Equality Report, as three in four workers surveyed reported issues with discrimination.
This survey found that 74pc of workers had observed an issue with discrimination in their workplace. 57pc said their career had been hindered by discrimination (including gender, age, and ethnic discrimination), and 77pc had either left, or considered leaving, a job due to discrimination.
This survey also found a marked increase in far-right sentiment in Irish workplaces, with 63pc observing discriminatory jokes or comments about minority groups, and half observing dismissive or minimising attitudes about discrimination towards minorities in their workplaces.
Ahern said:
“As a labour law solicitor, I’ve seen firsthand how discrimination impacts workers across a broad range of industries across the country.
“That’s why I’m disappointed, but frankly not surprised, by the findings of this report. I’m also particularly concerned by the rise in far-right sentiment reported by workers in this survey.
“I’m calling for more leadership from employers in the workplace to stop the creep and normalisation of far-right rhetoric. It’s clear that we need stronger protections against discrimination in the workplace including harsher penalties for workplace harassment.
“Labour is fighting to make our economy fair and functional, and we have proposed practical initiatives like enhanced reproductive health leave to further protect against gender and family-based discrimination at work. We have also long been calling for a statutory right to trade union recognition, as nothing protects employees like the solidarity that can be found in a trade union.”