Higgins urges law to protect workers

SOCIALIST Party leader Joe Higgins yesterday called on the Government to bring forward new legislation to ensure the rights of workers can be protected.

After the High Court this week ruled that Government labour inspectors had acted beyond their powers in preparing a report for publication on controversial Turkish construction firm Gama, Deputy Higgins said a new mechanism was needed to ensure employees were protected. Speaking during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil yesterday, Deputy Higgins said companies like Gama could engage the most expensive legal teams available to help them avoid their responsibilities.

“Is the Tánaiste incredulous that the labour laws allow ruthless exploiters of workers, whether Irish or migrant workers, to hide behind the courts and the laws of this land in having shameful truths suppressed?

“Will we have legislation providing a mechanism where ordinary workers can detail abuses they are suffering and enable them to get immediate redress, within a week or two, as speedily as the bosses can get their injunctions in the High Court for which they can well afford to pay?”

Filling in for Bertie Ahern, Tánaiste Mary Harney said Ireland already had robust labour relations machinery which could act swiftly and clearly.

“I am a champion of the policies that create high quality employment. I am the minister who brought in the minimum wage. “We have strong laws in regard to unfair dismissal and constructive dismissal. Where there are deficiencies in legislation, they will be addressed, but the enforcement of the law is a crucial issue,” she said.

Ms Harney also said allegations made by workers against the mobile phone content provider, Global Mobile Vision, were being investigated by her department after Mr Higgins said he had been approached by workers alleging harassment and bullying.