Ahead of the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Saturday 25 November, the Irish Congress of Trades Unions has welcomed the new workers’ right to five days paid Domestic Violence Leave which comes into operation from Monday.
Trade unions have been raising awareness of domestic violence as a workers’ issue for many years and have successfully negotiated paid leave at the enterprise level.
Congress and our affiliated unions were happy to work hand in hand with domestic violence civil society groups in the lead-up to legislating for this significant new right. We believe that it will make workplaces supportive environments for workers experiencing domestic violence and will enable employers to retain talent and ensure the safety of all in their workplaces.
We welcome the commitment to review the Act and to give serious consideration to extending the duration of leave to up to 10 days a year. None of the collective agreements negotiated by trade unions with employers are as low as 5 days and indeed many don’t even specify a specific number of days.
This payment is a significant safeguard for victims of domestic violence, the vast majority of whom are women. It will assist them in retaining their economic independence in extremely difficult time in their working lives.
Contact Conor Kavanagh Congress Communications Office 0868116607
