U-turn on legislation to protect low-paid

UP to 200,000 low-paid workers could be vulnerable to wage cuts in the coming months after the Government ruled out introducing emergency legislation to protect them.

Last week, Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton indicated that he would bring in temporary measures to protect the workers after the High Court found the mechanisms setting their pay were unconstitutional.

However, last night, Mr Bruton announced that emergency legislation would be too complex and would run the risk of further legal challenge.

Instead of introducing the emergency measures, the Government will proceed with its planned overhaul of the mechanisms, and introduce legislation to that effect in the autumn.

The decision means workers in sectors such as retail, hospitality and catering could face pressure in the intervening period from employers to take wage cuts, as there will be little to protect them.

Trade unions had demanded emergency legislation, saying that without it, unscrupulous employers would be free “to plunder the wage packets” of poorly paid workers.

Opposition parties, meanwhile, had called on Mr Bruton to appeal the HighCourt verdict to the Supreme Court.

Mr Bruton revealed last night that he would be doing neither.

Citing consultations with the Attorney General, he said: “In particular, two possibilities were examined: enacting emergency legislation to provide temporary protection for workers, pending enactment of comprehensive reforms, and appealing the judgment that would likely have the result of providing a stay on its effects.

“Unfortunately, as a result of these consultations, it has become clear that neither option is viable.

“There are not sufficient grounds for an appeal; emergency legislation would be extremely complex, would run a very real risk of further challenge and would in any event be of doubtful impact.”

Mr Bruton said his priority now was to proceed with the overhaul of the mechanisms, known as Joint Labour Committees and Employment Regulation Orders, to make the system “more responsive” to current economic needs.

But he admitted it would be into the Dáil’s next term in the autumn before the legislation to enact that overhaul was introduced.

“The comprehensive reform proposals that have already been the subject of discussions with stakeholders and at Government will address the weaknesses identified by the court, and would therefore restore protection for workers in the relevant sectors,” he said.

“The Attorney General has assured me that the drafting of legislation required by the proposals will be treated with the highest priority by her office. My department will also treat this issue with the most extreme urgency.

“My intention is that legislation be introduced to the Dáil very early in the next term with prioritised enactment thereafter.”