Employment Bill: One of the Most Significant Pieces of Workforce Legislation in a Generation
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty TD today emphasised that the current Employment Bill moving through the Oireachtas is one of the most significant pieces of employment legislation in a generation. The Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017, which seeks to address the challenges thrown up by the increased casualisation of work and to strengthen the regulation of precarious employment, moved through its Second Stage in the Seanad this evening.
Speaking to the importance of the Bill, Minister Doherty said:
“This Bill will provide one of the most significant changes to working conditions in a generation. This legislation will improve the security and predictability of working hours for employees on insecure contracts and those working variable hours. We live in a changing world and it’s vital that the legal protections for all workers keep up with the conditions experienced by a modern workforce.
“I am particularly pleased that this Bill is rooted in a process of extensive consultations, including a public consultation following a University of Limerick (UL) study on zero hour contracts and low hour contracts as well as detailed discussions with Ibec and ICTU over a number of months. As a result, I believe that this is balanced and fair to both employees and employers and will truly work in practice.”
The main provisions of the Bill are as follows:
Moving the Bill through the Second Stage in the Seanad, Minister Doherty stressed that she is keen to see the Bill enacted as soon as possible
ENDS