SENATOR BACIK WELCOMES GOVERNMENT ACCEPTANCE OF WORKERS’ RIGHTS BILL

SENATOR BACIK WELCOMES GOVERNMENT ACCEPTANCE OF WORKERS’ RIGHTS BILL

Senator Ivana Bacik, Labour Leader, Seanad Spokesperson on Justice,
Wednesday 20th January, 2016

In the Seanad today, Senator Ivana Bacik proposed the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2016 on behalf of the Labour Party Senators, as a private members’ bill. Senator Aideen Hayden of Labour seconded the Bill. On behalf of the Government, Minister Richard Bruton did not oppose the bill, which passed Second Stage in the Seanad.

This Bill stems from a longstanding Labour party commitment to ensure protection of the right to collectively bargain for freelance workers, including journalists, actors and others who perform their work on a self-employed or contract for services basis.

Welcoming the passage of the Bill through second stage, Senator Bacik said:

“ The Bill represents an important protection of the rights of self-employed and freelance workers. I am delighted that it has now passed second stage and will work to see that it is enacted as law, if not within the lifetime of this Government, then early in the term of the next. This Bill will allow self-employed workers, such as actors or journalists, who personally provide work or perform services, to collectively bargain with their employers. However, it would ensure consumers remain protected from illegal price-fixing. I was glad to welcome representatives from unions, such as the NUJ, Equity and SIPTU, to attend the debate on the Bill this evening in the Seanad. It is great to see it pass through second stage.”