SIPTU seeks govt dept dedicated to workers’ rights
13/04/2005 - 07:30:11SIPTU has called for the establishment of a government department dealing specifically with the rights of workers.
The union claimed a department of labour and social affairs was needed because the existing Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment tended to be more open to business interests.
SIPTU president Jack O'Connor: "The reason we don't have a proper labour inspectorate in this country and have a derisory regime of penalties governing non-compliance with legislation on workers' rights is because the department with responsibility for that aspect of things is irrevocably conflicted between its commitment to business on the one hand and the interests of workers on the other."
