Workplace Rights

Government axe living wage a day after ‘workers’ budget’

Responding to the news that progress to a living wage is to be paused indefinitely, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has roundly condemned the decision. General Secretary Owen Reidy said: “The ink is not yet dry on yesterday’s so-called ‘workers’ budget’, and the Government is out today breaking...

Global Solidarity Summer School

Aug 20 - 21 2026

WHITES OF WEXFORD, ABBEY STREET, WEXFORD, Y35 C5PF

Delighted to be holding our annual Global Solidarity Summer School in White's Hotel in Wexford 20/21st of August. Delegates from across the island will gather...

Irish presidency must end ‘bank of mum and dad’ traineeships

Trade unions are calling on the Irish government to use its presidency of the European Union to ensure that young people from all backgrounds can take important first steps in their careers. Seanad Éireann heard recently how unpaid internships mean that many opportunities are “only available to...

Workers reminded of right to switch off this summer

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has reminded workers of their right to disconnect from work applies while on annual leave this summer. With school closing for the holidays this week, many working families will be taking time off work to get a break from their daily grind, trade union say it is...

Good jobs must be at the heart of Ireland’s EU presidency, says ICTU

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has called on the Government to put workers’ rights and the creation of good, secure jobs at the centre of Ireland’s Presidency of the EU Council. Congress made the call following a meeting with Socialists and Democrats (S&D) Group President Iratxe García Pérez and...

Unions welcome strengthening of workers’ rights on retirement age

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has welcomed the signing of the commencement order for the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025 by Minister Peter Burke, which comes into effect from Monday 29 June, and the publication of an updated Code of Practice on Longer Working. The new law...

Speech at the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference

Speech delivered by David Joyce at the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference. President and Vice Presidents of the Conference, Distinguished delegates, Video of speech available here . I very much welcome this year’s DG report: “A moment of choice: Harnessing artificial intelligence...

Delayed pay transparency to cost women workers over €570 million a year in lost wages

New figures from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions have revealed that the Government’s failure to transpose the EU Pay Transparency Directive on time will cost working women more than €570 million per year in lost wages. The analysis, based on CSO earnings and employment data and international...

A Tale of Two Directives - equal pay and pay transparency

Fifty years ago this week, the Irish Government received formal notification the European Commission had rejected Ireland’s request for a derogation from an Equal Pay Directive prohibiting pay discrimination between men and women. To mark May Day, our social policy officer Dr Laura Bambrick looks at...

Workers mark May Day with call to action on cost of living

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the ICTU Youth Committee, and the Dublin Council of Trade Unions are today calling on the Government to tackle Ireland's deepening cost of living crisis, as workers take to the streets of Dublin to mark May Day. The theme of this year’s march is ‘Can You Afford to...