Today Cabinet agreed to scrap the draft Right to Request Remote Working Bill and instead deliver the new workers’ rights in the Work-Life Balance Bill, which is currently making its way through the Oireachtas.
This is a result of extensive engagement between DETE, DCEDIY, and the social partners.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions General Secretary Owen Reidy said: “Integrating these two pieces of legislation will deliver workers a statutory right to request remote working before the end of this year, months ahead of the expected schedule.
He added: “Congress and our affiliate unions welcome the Government commitment, to be written into the Work-Life Balance Bill, to consider extending the right to request all types of flexible working arrangements to all workers, not just remote, after two years of the legislation coming into effect.”
“Unions have been clear that full flexibility for all workers is necessary to close the emerging work-life balance privilege gap between workers who can work remotely and those in jobs requiring a physical presence.
Mr. Reidy said: “I want to acknowledge the collaborative approach taken by the Tánaiste and his officials to resolve the flawed draft legislation and to deliver on his commitment to a new workers’ right to remote working.”
