First bill is passed since formation of government

The first piece of legislation has been passed more then seven months after the formation of Government.

A bill providing additional rights to freelance workers, initially put forward by Labour senator Ivana Bacik, yesterday received cross-party support when it passed through the Seanad.

The Competition (Amendment) Bill 2016 will allow self-employed workers, such as actors and journalists, who personally provide work or perform services, to collectively bargain with their employers.

Speaking in the Seanad where the bill reached final stage yesterday Ms Bacik said: “At a time of fairly bleak political developments this week overseas where we have seen a real blow to progressive politics internationally, this is a really positive example of constructive legislative work by the Seanad and between government and legislature.

Jobs Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor said the focus of the bill is to protect the vulnerable self-employed people.

Labour Senator Ged Nash said: “We expect that these important reforms passed today will quickly get through the Dáil and will be in force by the middle of 2017.”

He added: “This is the culmination of a 12-year-long campaign for the restoration of collective bargaining rights which will deliver better pay and conditions and living standards for session musicians, freelance journalists and voice-over actors.

“It also ensures that Ireland will now comply with its International Labour Organisation (ILO) obligations in this regard.”