Government must stop pushing workers into more expensive commutes – Wall
Government must stop pushing workers into more expensive commutes – Wall - The Labour Party
- Labour calls for a real right to remote work
Labour social protection spokesperson Mark Wall TD has called on Government to protect remote work and cut commuting costs after new research found that more large employers plan to require staff to attend the office on fixed days. The William Fry report, based on a survey of 404 Irish businesses by Ipsos B&A, found that 34% of employers with at least 50 staff already set fixed office days. Half expect to do so by 2027.
Deputy Wall said:
“Workers are being squeezed from both sides. More employers want them in the office on set days, while the National Transport Authority has proposed fare increases averaging around 15%. For someone who can do their job from home, an extra office day means paying for another journey when the weekly budget is already tight.
“Families are watching the cost of food, energy and housing climb. They should not face a bigger commuting bill because an employer has imposed fixed office days. Remote work helps people keep more of their wages, spend less time in traffic and manage family life. We should make it easier where the job allows it.
“Government opposed Labour’s legislation to give workers a real right to remote work. Without that protection, workers have little say when an employer changes the rules, even if they have done their jobs effectively from home for years. Employers should have to give a clear reason for refusing remote work, rather than relying on a blanket office policy.
“And for workers who must commute, Government needs to bring costs down. Labour is calling for a halt to future toll hikes.
“Government must stop these fare hikes and give workers a real right to work from home where their jobs allow it. At a time when every euro counts, Government should be cutting the cost of getting to work, not letting it rise.”