Pay-related welfare for laid-off workers is welcome, says union

Newly laid-off workers will receive 60% of their previous gross weekly wage up to a maximum €450 a week, almost double the current rate

Owen Reidy, general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), says the new pay-related social welfare payment for recently unemployed workers is a welcome first step.

Newly unemployed workers can look forward to an enhanced social welfare safety net once a new pay-related contributory jobseeker’s benefit begins to roll out later this year.

Owen Reidy, general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), welcomed the recent vote by the Houses of the Oireachtas in favour of the new pay-related social welfare payment for recently unemployed workers, newly signed into law by President Michael D Higgins and due to be rolled out from October.