Ex-Crystal staff sue state over pensions

TEN former workers with Waterford Crystal have brought a legal action against the state which has significant implications for the pension entitlements of all workers in circumstances of employer insolvency.

The workers have been told they will receive between just 20% and 36% of their pension entitlements when they reach 65 within the next 18 months, representing combined losses to them of more than €2.6 million.

They claim the pension insolvency payments scheme (PIPS), which came into effect here last month, fails to meet the state’s obligations under the European Insolvency Directive to protect workers in insolvency situations.