The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has said the signing into law today (Oct. 1) of two new Employment Regulation Orders (EROs) marks "a significant advance in the trade union campaign against low pay and precarious employment."
Congress General Secretary Patricia King said the restoration of the Joint Labour Committee (JLCs) system and the signing of the orders today by Minister Ged Nash meant an immediate and very welcome pay rise for some 50,000 workers in the security and contract cleaning, but also marked a reversal of the downward trends of recent years.
'the restoration of the JLC system – struck down in 2011 by the courts – represents a significant advance in our campaign against low pay. It also represents real upward movement in employment standards for the lower paid, perhaps for the first time since 2009," she said.
Ms King was critical of employers who have failed to engage with the reinstated JLC system – in the retail, hospitality and accommodation sectors – and said they "cannot continue to ignore the law of the land and the civilised conduct of industrial relations.
"Nor can they continue to deny their workforce the wage rise they are now entitled to – especially in light of increased profit levels and the fact that some sectors benefit from favourable state treatment with regard to reduced VAT," she concluded.
