ICTU concerned over flu’s impact on employment

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.

The umbrella union body has written to the Ministers of Health, Labour Affairs and Social and Family Affairs expressing concern about the impact of swine flu on employment and incomes particularly at a time when the economy is already in a recession. It has also put forward a number of measures which it believes must be implemented to protect those who contract the illness.

The main elements of ICTU’s (H1N1) Influenza A Virus Leave of Absence Scheme are: