New optimism as partnership talks resume in Dublin
A potential new social partnership deal is reportedly taking shape during talks between employers and unions that are due to resume in Dublin later today.
The two sides have been locked in negotiations for several weeks on a successor deal to the Sustaining Progress agreement.
The talks had been stalled over how to protect employment standards and prevent worker exploitation.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions wants new legislation in the area, while IBEC wants greater enforcement of existing labour laws.
Reports this morning said there was a new optimism that a deal could be reached, with both sides apparently accepting proposals for the Labour Court to issue binding determinations in cases where workers are sacked in order to be replaced with others on lower rates of pay and inferior conditions.
However, IBEC is reportedly remaining steadfastly opposed to any law that would guarantee workers the "going rate" for the job they are employed to do.
