Zero-hour contracts ban and union rights at heart of Sinn Féin workers’ rights policy

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

Ireland is one of just three countries in the EU27 where the right to collective bargaining is not enshrined in law

AN END to zero-hour contracts has been called for in a new Sinn Féin’s Workers’ Rights policy document launched on Thursday by Senator David Cullinane.

Sinn Féin has also called for the introduction of robust anti-victimisation legislation  and collective bargaining rights in line with International Labour Organisation conventions.

Senator Cullinane, who was joined at the launch by Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald and Enterprise spokesperson Peadar Tóibín TD, said:

“One hundred years after the 1913 Lockout, Ireland has the dubious distinction of being only one of three countries in the EU27 where the right to collective bargaining is not enshrined in law.

“We must ensure that collective bargaining rights are introduced without delay and that they are in keeping with International Labour Organisation conventions.

“Legislation must copperfasten the right to trade union recognition and treat collective bargaining as a basic human right.

“Watered-down legislation will not protect workers in the current economic climate. We need robust legislation that makes it compulsory for employers to recognise trade unions and that prohibits victimisation of vulnerable workers. 

“According to Eurostat, over one fifth of the Irish workforce is low-paid. We also have a widening of the gap in terms of income distribution and an increase in the numbers of adults and children living in relative deprivation.

“Sinn Féin is committed to working with an independent and progressive labour movement to bring about change.

“Working together, our task is to create a true republic that can deliver equality and justice for all our people and strong and robust workers’ rights are a fundamental cornerstone of this project.”

• Below: David Cullinane, Mary Lou McDonald and Peadar Tóibín at the workers' rights launch