DELEGATES called for tougher penalties to be imposed on employers who force workers to accept "under the counter" payments in order to avoid tax. Ms Rhonda Donaghy of the Dublin distributive branch said Mandate did not condone welfare fraud, "but while employers are allowed to get away with under the counter payments the black economy will thrive". She called for tougher penalties on employers.
However, another Dublin delegate, Mr Martin Lynch, said that while he was opposed to welfare fraud, many low paid workers had little choice. Some people had to do a second job and they had to accept payment "with no questions asked". The delegates voted overwhelmingly for a resolution supporting the crackdown on fraud.