Ged Nash attacks ‘19th century’ employment contracts

Ireland could be stepping back to the days of 19th century hiring fairs as tens of thousands of workers take casual jobs when and where they can get them, minister of state for jobs Ged Nash has warned.

The Labour Party TD said he is working on measures to combat “if-and-when” contracts, offering workers little or no rights, exposed in an independent report commissioned by the Coalition last year.

While he could not give a timeframe for any clampdown on the unsecured working arrangements, he said he would like to see a plan drawn up within the coming weeks to be brought before Cabinet.