The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Michael Martin, today said that although social partnership is the corner-stone of the Celtic Tiger, it is a process that "requires continuing analysis, development, and innovation".
"We often celebrate its successes and its benefits but if we are to improve its effectiveness, we must also focus on improvements," he said.
The Minister Addressing was delegates at the SIPTU Biennial Conference in Cork tonight.
Mr Martin said he was open to engagement with the union to look at the employment rights framework to ensure proper regulation, compliance and enforcement.
"I look forward to this interaction and you will find my door is always open on such matters of great importance to the dignity of our people and our reputation," Minister Martin said.
Earlier today, the country's biggest union has called for a public "name-and-shame campaign" to expose employers found guilty of exploiting workers.
Delegates in Cork voted in favour of a motion this morning backing a national publicity campaign to highlight the exploitation of Irish and foreign workers.
Siptu national organiser Noel Dowling described the exploitation of workers as a "disease, a rampant greed" that is going on every day.
The conference heard a number of accounts from speakers of abuses against foreign staff, including a Filipina woman who was sacked for trying to extend her sick leave after being left bed-ridden by an injury to her back, and three Polish labourers who were fired for complaining to their employer that they had not been paid for three weeks.
Delegates called on the union to press for laws containing tougher penalties for employers found guilty of exploiting their staff. They also want improved enforcement of existing laws.