Steps to correct payout scheme

THE FIRST steps are being taken to rectify an anomaly which sees thousands of public service employees forced to pay thousands of euro into a scheme for widows and orphans, even when they are in a relationship which would see their partner receive nothing.

According to Industrial Relations News, a union/ management working group has put forward proposals to the Department of Finance which will see all new employees increasing their premium to 2% (from 1.5%) of their pay but as a result, everyone who is employed — no matter what their marital status — will be able to avail of the scheme.

Those already employed, but in a non-traditional relationship, who would like to avail of the scheme, will have the option of upping their contributions to 2% so that they can be included, while those who are married will remain paying 1.5%.