FSU urges Senators to support legislation to tackle scandal of precarious and insecure work

Precarious and insecure work blights the lives of thousands of Irish workers and their families and action is needed now to provide legal protection against this abuse according to the Financial Services Union.

FSU acting General Secretary, Gareth Murphy, was speaking as Seanad Éireann prepares to debate the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.

The legislation will provide legal protection to workers against zero hour contracts, introduced ‘banded hours’ provisions to better reflect the reality of hours worked, rather than a bare minimum provided by an employer and ensure that employees are better informed about the nature of their employment arrangements.

“I have written to every Senator urging them to support this legislation.  Zero hour contracts and precarious work have no place in a modern workplace.  Unfortunately, a minority of employers are using these appalling practices which have a devastating toll on workers and their families.  Change is urgently required.

“These poor employment practices are most prevalent in the retail and hospitality sector.  However, with the increase in contract employment in the financial services sector there is a real concern that, without legal protection, their use will increase.  This legislation will protect workers in all sectors against short-sighted, destructive employment practices.

“FSU is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our colleagues in MANDATE trade union and other ICTU unions in supporting this legislation.  I have received a very positive response from Senators and FSU will continue to lobby to see this legislation enacted before the end of the year.”

Ends.

A summary of the main provisions of the legislation is available here.