TEMPORARY MEASURES to protect vulnerable workers following the High Court’s judgment on wage-setting mechanisms are expected to be published within days.
Attorney General Máire Whelan is urgently examining how to protect workers affected by the court’s decision that sections of legislation governing joint labour committee (JLC) wage-setting mechanisms were unconstitutional, according to a spokesman for Minister for Enterprise and Jobs Richard Bruton.
He said the matter was being explored “with the utmost urgency” and an announcement would be made as soon as a specific course of action had been decided upon.
The court’s decision underlined the need for reforms of the JLC system, he said, adding that the main problem with existing rules which was identified by the High Court was addressed in the Minister’s proposals.
Labour backbencher Colm Keaveney, who has been critical of Mr Bruton’s plans to reform the JLC system, said there was no excuse for dragging out the process of protecting affected workers. However, he expressed delight with the judgment and said it showed there was a “big hole” in existing legislation that needed to be filled.
Another Labour backbencher, Seán Kenny, welcomed Mr Bruton’s promise to provide interim protection for workers.
“I believe that legislation may well be the way to proceed in order to address this important issue, and to give low-paid workers the protection that they need.
“The programme for government has a commitment to maintain the JLC system and the events of yesterday make movement on this a priority.”
However, Socialist Party MEP Paul Murphy claimed up to 300,000 workers could have their wages cut because of the court ruling, and that employers in breach of JLC regulations would no longer be held responsible.