Government fails low pay workers by missing EU minimum wage law deadline, says Ó Ríordáin
Dublin MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has criticized the Irish government for their failure to implement the EU directive on adequate minimum wage into Irish law.
“Today was the deadline for the EU governments to transpose the EU Minimum Wage Directive, shamefully the Irish government is among those who have not implemented the law.
“This date has not come as a surprise to our government, they have had over two years to prepare for today – and still they have failed to meet the deadline.
“This missed deadline puts in stark focus the scant regard our government holds for low paid workers.
“The purpose of this piece of EU law was to set a minimum floor to protect workers – to ensure statutory minimum wages in member states are adequate and to promote collective bargaining as the best way to ensure genuinely fair pay.
“One in five workers are in low paid work – a figure that hasn’t changed over the past two decades. Women in Ireland are significantly more likely to be in low-paid roles, reflecting the undervalued nature of care-work.
“When it comes to collective bargaining, Ireland is among the worst performers in Europe. Around 40% of Irish workers are covered by collective bargaining agreements – far below the EU average and half of the 80% threshold for action laid down in the directive. Additionally, there is growing evidence of aggressive efforts by employers to block trade union access to organise and support their members.
“We need a sea change when it comes to our treatment of workers in Ireland. Labour in government will deliver for low-paid workers. On November 29th, workers’ rights are on the ballot paper.”
ENDS
Labour is pledging a new deal for workers. We will transpose in full the provisions of the Adequate Minimum Wages Directive and in government we will:
• Put in place a comprehensive programme to promote collective bargaining.
• Ensure workers can exercise their right to collectively bargain.
• Protect workers and trade union representatives against victimisation, and dismissal, and unions against acts of interference.
• Ensure appropriate facilities are provided so that trade union representatives can carry out their role comprehensively.