The country’s largest trade union group says some employers are engaging in “invasive” character checks on jobseekers, including on their financial circumstances, which could make it more difficult to secure employment.

CONFUSION over the new whistleblowing legislation means workers lack the confidence to report wrongdoing within their workplace, trade unions have claimed.

Whistleblowers’ legislation raises some fears for unions, writes Stephen Rogers

MINISTERS have denied an initiative to create 5,000 internships is a gimmick — despite admitting they have no idea how many real jobs the scheme may lead to.

AS the big freeze took hold again overnight, road conditions remained dangerous with the lack of gritting on minor roads an ongoing problem.

THE Irish Congress of Trade Unions has questioned the entitlement of the Government to reduce the minimum wage by €1 to €7.65.

THOUSANDS of holidaymakers stranded abroad are likely to have to take holidays or unpaid leave for all additional days that they are trapped overseas.

AS the Dáil prepares to discuss the Agency Workers’ Bill next week, it has been claimed Ireland is now the only country in Europe which has not made any move to give agency workers equal pay and treatment with their permanent colleagues.

SEVERAL thousand illegal immigrants open to immediate expulsion are to be allowed stay in the country for at least four months under legislation published yesterday.

THE Irish Congress of Trade Unions has demanded the Government put in place measures to protect the livelihoods of workers if the swine flu virus spreads to the levels expected.

BROADCASTER TV3 was yesterday cleared of upsetting viewers for showing two gay men kissing on rural soap Emmerdale, but not for showing an advertisement for a raunchy American soap.

FOUR months ago the Government promised the heads of legislation regulating employment agencies would be introduced within a month to six weeks.

THE Government is to start naming and shaming employers who breach employment law in legislation in lists similar to the Revenue’s tax defaulters.

FOREIGN students coming to Ireland are at severe risk of exploitation because of gaps in the new work permit scheme unveiled earlier this week, it has been claimed.

Trade unionists have urged employers to carry out audits of their pay-scales to ensure gender equality between male and female staff.

Foreign employment agencies should be banned from operating in the Irish market without a licence, it was claimed tonight.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has accused the Government of obscuring the issue of work permits for migrant workers and failing to deliver changes they pledged.

ALMOST one in three families rely on unpaid relatives to mind their young children, figures published yesterday show.