Libertas criticised as 'anti-worker'

The pro-Lisbon Charter Group has strongly criticised Libertas for being anti-worker.

The pro-Lisbon Charter Group has strongly criticised Libertas for being anti-worker.

The chairman of the Charter Group, Des Geraghty, said the Libertas articles of association suggested it would contribute funds to anybody resisting interference in its business by strike movements or organisations.

Mr Geraghty said Libertas, which is campaigning for a No vote, was anything but pro-worker.

Meanwhile, the Charter Group, which comprises trade union activists campaigning for a Yes vote in the referendum, said that it was essential for jobs and workers rights

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Mr Geraghty said that Ireland’s future depended on export-led growth and that this required a strong economy in Europe.

“Only Yes can help to achieve this, and a No will only weaken Europe economically”.

The secretary of the Charter Group, Blair Horan, said it was “absolute lies” to suggest the minimum wage would be affected as a result of passing the Lisbon Treaty. He also said controversial European Court of Justice rulings such as the Laval case - which had been highlighted by the No side – would have no impact here.

He said Ireland had extensive minimum wage protection, not just a basic minimum wage of €8.65 per hour, but also higher legally enforceable rates in a range of sectors such as construction, hotels, retail and catering.

“These minimum wage rates apply to all workers in Ireland irrespective of their nationality. Workers are fully protected on pay and the Laval judgement has no impact here. The claims of a race to the bottom are just not factual," Mr Horan said.

However, Mr Ganley later said he was unaware what was in Libertas's articles of association.

"We should check but I don't know what it says. We just use boiler plate (standard wording) memorandum and articles of association. But I'm not anti-anything," he said.

"I would point out that it is Michael O'Leary who makes his own pilots pay for bottled water while flying his aeroplanes who's calling for a Yes vote and saying that he's doing that so that the Government will sell him Aer Lingus and not me."

Pressed again about worker's rights in the organisation's articles of association, he said: "I'm not get against workers' rights. I'm for them and I've no issue with the unions."