Temporary protection for 200,000 workers

THE Government will bring in temporary measures to protect up to 200,000 low-paid workers affected by a High Court decision on wage-setting mechanisms, Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton has said.

His comments came after trade unions warned that emergency legislation was required to prevent unscrupulous employers from “plundering” the wages of vulnerable workers.

Mr Justice Kevin Feeney declared unconstitutional laws under which minimum pay and conditions are set under Employment Regulation Orders proposed by Joint Labour Committees (JLCs) for approval by the Labour Court.