Labour's Cllr Keith Martin has welcomed the proposals published by the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation this afternoon in relation to the protection of lower-paid workers in the wake of the Feeney judgment on the JLC/ERO system.
The proposals, he said, lay strong foundations for the introduction of robust and effective legislation which will be prioritised early in the autumn.
The Feeney judgment, which found the JLC/ERO system to be unconstitutional, demanded a swift and imaginative response in order to secure and protect the rights and incomes of those workers in sectors of the economy governed by these wage setting mechanisms.
"These new proposals, particularly with reference to the adult rates and the Sunday working situation represent a substantial move to protect the interests of the lower paid.
"The proposals around the basic adult rates will permit JLCs to set a series of three adult rates to reflect years of service and/ or experience. This is important as this approach allows trade unions and employers, under the JLC system, the space to work out rates appropriate to specific sectors.
"The reliance on Sunday rates and the sacrifices made by those who work on Sundays will also be recognised and copper-fastened under new legislative arrangements. This welcome innovation will provide protection for those who work on a Sunday in the sectors concerned, and this protection is underpinned in legislation.
"A new Code of Practice, based on provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act (1997) will be given legal effect by the government in the new legislation. This Code of Practice will have the strength of enforcement at Labour Court level.
"Essentially, this will ensure that the JLC and REA systems are put on a safe and secure legal and constitutional footing and will allow for a strengthening of protective measures for those working in the JLC sectors."
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