Press release
Minister Doherty Announces Ground-breaking Employment Bill Will Commence in Early March 2019
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
Once enacted, reform will profoundly improve the security and predictability of working hours for employees on insecure contracts
Minister also announces public awareness campaign to be conducted by WRC ahead of commencement.
Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty T.D., today announces that the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill - which today completed its Report and Final stages in the Seanad – will commence in the first week of March 2019 once enacted. The Bill seeks to address the challenges thrown up by the increased casualisation of work and to strengthen the regulation of precarious employment.
Hailing the Bill as is one of the most significant pieces of employment legislation in a generation, Minister Doherty said she was keen to have it enacted as soon as possible and will finalise the Bill before the Dail next Tuesday to be sent immediately afterwards for the President’s signature.
Speaking to the importance of the Bill, Minister Doherty said:
“I am delighted to reach this stage for one of the most significant changes to working conditions in a generation and, crucially, to have introduced legislation that will profoundly improve the security and predictability of working hours for employees on insecure contracts and those working variable hours. In a changing world, this reform ensures that the legal protections for all workers will match the conditions experienced by a modern workforce and make a real difference in the lives of thousands of workers.
“This Bill is rooted in a process of extensive consultations with Ibec and ICTU over a number of months as well as comprehensive research. 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:
To assist and inform employees who will benefit from this legislation, as well as employers who need to be made aware of its provisions, the Minister also announced today that she would be arranging for a short public awareness campaign to be conducted by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ahead of commencement.
ENDS