Rights of workers key to creation of better society, Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness tells ICTU conference

MARTIN McGUINNESS has told the Biennial Conference of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in Derry that the rights of workers are key to the creation of a better society and that partnership working can create a fair and prosperous Ireland.

The Sinn Féin leadership figure said:

“I welcome this conference to my home City of Derry. This conference will discuss and debate issues which are as relevant to people in Derry as they are to people in Dingle.

“Economic development, social cohesion, justice, fairness and equality improve the lives of all the people of Ireland. The conference theme addresses fair employment and the rights of workers which are central to building a fair, inclusive society and a strong economy,” he said.

Martin McGuinness also said Sinn Féin has been to the fore in supporting those most in need in the Executive.

“We have been relentless in our pursuit of protecting the most vulnerable.

● Martin McGuinness’ s pledge from the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis in Derry, March 2015

“We stopped the introduction of the Bedroom Tax, prevented unmitigated welfare cuts through agreeing a range of welfare changes to continue to support the most vulnerable across society, and provided free travel for pensioners.”

He added:

“This Executive has created more than 40,000 jobs, spent over £90million a week delivering the range of health and social care services across the North, stopped the introduction of water charges, kept our rates bill lower than across the water, kept prescriptions free for everyone and protected free domiciliary care.

“In addition,” he said, “we supported our students with tuition fees for local students at Queen’s and Ulster University which are a third lower than those studying in England.

The Sinn Féin leader also pledged his party's opposition to the “Tory assault on the trade union movement”, saying:

“We will do everything in our power to block their anti-trade union legislation which is aimed solely at restricting workers’ rights.

“Workers have a right to trade union membership, they have a right to a living wage and they have a right to fair employment conditions.

“That is common ground on which we can stand with the trade union movement and I would again appeal for us to do that in the time ahead – to stand together, to work together and to struggle together.

“That is only way we will halt the Tory agenda and together we can create a prosperous and fair Ireland where workers and citizens are valued and respected.”