The Mandate trade union has reiterated its call on the South African government to agree to talks over its campaign to represent a group of workers employed at that country's embassy in Dublin.
The call follows a protest held today by the union outside the Dáil where a trade delegation from the Public Accounts Committee of the South African parliament met with Government officials.
The protest was organised in support of Mandate’s claim for union recognition on behalf of five of the eight non-diplomatic staff working at the embassy in Earlsfort Terrace before processing a 25 per cent pay claim on their behalf. The union said workers have not received a pay increase since 1998.
Mandate’s divisional organiser, Mr Albert Murphy said: "The protest today was to highlight the injustice being done. We believe our members are entitled to representation and should be paid correctly."
The South African delegation has declined to make any official comment on the dispute but there are indications the embassy may agree to meet Mandate representatives soon.
It has refused to recognise the trade union basing its position on the 1961 Vienna Convention which gives immunity to diplomats and embassies from the laws of a host state.
But Mr Murphy said the South African Constitution and the Bill of Rights recognises workers’ right to union representation.
"It is regrettable that the dispute has come to this and we call upon the embassy to reconsider its position and get into discussions with us as soon as possible," he said.
He said the union would continue its picket outside the South African embassy.
Meanwhile Labour’s spokesman on Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said he pressed the South African delegation on the need for a resolution to the dispute when he meet them today after the protest. Party leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, also pledged to raise the issue in the Dáil when it resumes.