Higgins: Fight for fairness and security the 'defining battle for our times'

President Higgins has singled out the aviation and digital industries as among the worst offenders in reducing workers' rights, comparing recent developments in the world of work with the worst practices of employers in the 19th century.

Addressing the Centenary Conference of the International Labour Organisation in Dublin, he strongly criticised the increase in precarious employment, contract working and casualisation, which he said was happening in many sectors, including aviation.