‘Haphazard’ labour court claims system to undergo reforms

WORKERS will be entitled to take employment cases to the labour court without using state agencies, labour inspectors or lawyers under plans to end the “haphazard” system in operation at the moment.

Reform of the industrial relations and employment rights system will see the merging of five quangos creating a more simplified structure to resolve workplace disputes.

Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Richard Bruton, yesterday published a consultation paper giving interested parties up until September 16 to give their views on the proposals.

He hopes it will bring an end to the current situation where workers can wait up to 80 weeks to have a case heard.

The new arrangements will involve a two tier structure with one “single entry point” to lodge a claim or complaint and another to lodge appeals.

They will be part of a new body formed by the amalgamated Labour Court and Employment Appeals Tribunal.

It will also merge the Labour Relations Commission, the Equality Tribunal and the National Employment Rights Authority.

The new arrangements will also mean that similar cases will be heard together to save time and money.

Mr Bruton said employment rights bodies have developed in a “haphazard manner” over the years and “are not fit for purpose”.

“Workers seeking to enforce their rights face waiting times of up to 80 weeks, more than 35 different forms, six different websites, and generally bewildering complexity,” he said.

The minister said abuses of the system can go undetected and employers who are compliant with the law can be embroiled in costly, time-consuming hearings.

“The whole thing costs too much for the taxpayer,” he said yesterday.

“An effective system would see more grievances resolved in the workplace. Most workers and trade unions do not want to rely on employment law to vindicate their rights, and high standards in the workplace can be a source of competitive advantage for businesses.”

IBEC and Chambers Ireland have both welcomed the proposals.

“We particularly welcome Mr Bruton’s proposal to establish an integrated two-tier structure to replace the five existing employment rights bodies,” said Chambers Ireland chief executive Ian Talbot.

“This, combined with the Government’s commitment to reduce red tape for businesses will enable more companies to focus on keeping their business running and maintaining and creating jobs.”