Commenting on the draft programme for government, trade union Unite today (Monday) accused the new coalition of ticking off a shopping list of employer demands while paying little attention to the demands of workers.
Unite, which represents workers throughout the economy, pointed out that previous commitments on workers’ rights – including the move to a statutory living wage and the extension of paid sick leave – are notably absent from the document.
Likewise, despite repeated commitments from outgoing minister Darragh O’Brien, the document makes no mention of a referendum enshrining public ownership of water in the constitution – a long-standing demand of unions.
At the same time, the coalition parties appear to have capitulated to a range of employer demands, from deregulation to VAT and PRSI reductions for parts of the hospitality sector.
Advertisement - continue reading below
Unite is also concerned at the commitment to publish an ‘Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity’ which will “include tax and wage policy.” While it is not clear what is meant in this context, Unite and the union movement will not tolerate any attempt to depress workers’ wages and conditions.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “The programme negotiated by Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and some Independents reads like an unchecked programme for business, with just half a page addressing workers’ rights.
“The government has rowed back on a range of commitments to workers while ticking off a shopping list of employer demands. This is short-sighted as well as cynical, since strong workers’ rights are fundamental to sustained wage-led economic growth.”
As a leading union in the construction sector, Unite said that the commitment to ramp up construction capacity to deliver new homes as well as a range of infrastructural projects could be undermined by the failure to focus on truly affordable publicly-delivered housing and deliver on workers’ rights.
The union’s Irish Secretary Susan Fitzgerald said: “The government will not be able to deliver on its commitment to ramp up construction capacity while many construction workers cannot afford to live in the homes they build – and may decide to move elsewhere with their families.
“Strengthening workers’ rights and tackling abuses such as union-busting is key to attracting and retaining workers.
Ireland’s future will not be secured by pandering to employer interests at the expense of workers.”