A SINGLE structure replacing five employment rights bodies determining wages and conditions for tens of thousands has been proposed by Minister for Jobs and Innovation Richard Bruton.
The Minister’s proposal is contained in a consultation paper published yesterday and follows his controversial announcement last month of changes to the joint labour committee system.
Those affected work mainly in catering, hotels, retail and hairdressing.
The new structure would replace the Labour Relations Commission, Equality Tribunal, National Employment Rights Authority, Employment Appeals Tribunal and the Labour Court.
Mr Bruton stressed, however, that the merger proposal would not affect statutory mediation and conciliation processes dealing with collective disputes under the remit of Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court.
Employment rights bodies, he said, had developed in a haphazard manner over the years.
“Workers seeking to enforce their rights face waiting times of up to 80 weeks, more than 35 different forms, six different websites and generally bewildering complexity,” he said.
He said the cost was too much for the taxpayer. Setting September 16th as the deadline for submissions from interested parties, Mr Bruton said there would be a “short period of consultation . . . so that we can ensure speedy but robust reforms”.
Those expected to make submissions include trade unions Siptu, Unite and Mandate, as well as employers group Ibec, the Irish Small Medium Enterprises Association and Retail Ireland.
Under the proposals, employees would be able to process their own claims and would not have to rely on a legal representative, a representative body or a labour inspector.
There would be support to ensure a speedy resolution at workplace level, while all related cases would be taken at the same hearing. The system would have only one entry point and would be easy to understand and use.
“Most workers and trade unions do not want to rely on employment law to vindicate their rights . . . standards in the workplace can be a source of competitive advantage for businesses,” he said.
While legislative change would undoubtedly be required, the short-term focus would be on introducing as much change as possible based on existing laws or amending them, said Mr Bruton. “The intention is to make maximum progress within existing arrangements by drawing on . . . goodwill and co-operation between the institutions involved.”
Main points
* A structure replacing the five employment rights bodies.
* Employees would be able to take their own case.
* The development of shared services to ensure greater efficiency and savings.
* Support to ensure speedy resolution at workplace level.
* The system would be easy to understand and use.
