Bruton set to amalgamate employment rights quangos

Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton is today proposing the amalgamation of the five employment rights bodies.

Minister Bruton has launched a consultation paper and is now seeking submissions, before making a final decision next month.

The Enterprise Minister is looking at the Labour Court, the Labour Relations Commission, the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA), The Employment Appeals Tribunal and the Equality Tribunal.

Earlier this year, Richard Bruton signalled his intent to merge four employment quangos under the umbrella of the Labour Relations Commission.

He has now published a consultation paper on his proposals and is seeking submissions by September 16.

In a statement, Minister Bruton said that the country's employment rights bodies have grown up in a haphazard manner over the years and are not fit for purpose.

He said that, at the moment, workers seeking to enforce their rights face waiting times of up to 80 weeks, more than 35 different forms and six different websites.

He added that abuses go undetected and the whole thing costs too much for the taxpayer.

Minister Bruton is expected to make a final decision on the fate of the various bodies next month.

“This Government is serious about improving public services for users and reducing costs for taxpayers,” he said today.

“Last month I announced proposals to streamline the five State employment rights bodies, as well as the first steps in implementing those changes. Today I am publishing my plan and announcing a short period of consultation with stakeholders so that we can ensure speedy but robust reforms.

“As I have said before, our employment rights bodies which have grown up in a haphazard manner over the years 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.

“Abuses go undetected; yet compliant employers too often find themselves embroiled in costly and time-consuming hearings. And the whole thing costs too much for the taxpayer.

“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.

“Reform in this area, as in many others, has been talked about for many years. Today I am happy to take the next steps in implementation.”