The Government yesterday launched a new code of practice aimed at eliminating exploitation of domestic workers. Martin Wall, Industry Correspondent, and Gordon Deeganreport.
The code, which was launched by Minister of State for Labour Affairs Tony Killeen, says that those who work in other people's homes have the same entitlement to employment rights as any other employee.
The code sets out that an employer taking on someone to work in the home must provide a written statement of terms and conditions including a list of duties. It should also deal with issues such as hours of work, pay rates and leave.
The code says that the employer must respect the dignity and privacy of the employee. It maintains that if the employee is required to live in the home, that the employer should provide a private secure room with a bed.
It says that if employees are required to share a bedroom with other employees this should be agreed in advance.
The code sets out deductions which may be made where the worker is provided with meals or where they live in. The code says that the employer should not withhold documentation belonging to the employee such as a passport, visa or ID cards.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Killeen said: "Across all sectors of employment we have to be vigilant to stamp out any exploitation of our workforce, particularly those most vulnerable."
He said new legislation would allow the National Employment Rights Authority to apply to the district court for a warrant to enter a private dwelling to carry out an inspection where the owner refused permission.
Mr Killeen said the code had been drawn up by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) in co-operation with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) and employers' group Ibec. It follows from a commitment in the national partnership agreement.
Chief executive of the LRC Kieran Mulvey said: "It is sad and to our eternal shame in this country that the availability of other nationals to work here is for some employers there to be exploited."
He said that the code would cater for "a new category of workers that had lacked visibility, lacked definition and lacked redress up until now".
"We have come across some extreme cases of exploitation and, hopefully, this code will eliminate that underbelly of employment in Ireland. If people do take a migrant worker into their private home, there are strict terms and conditions attached, it is no longer an agreement in honour."
Project co-ordinator with the Migrant Rights Centre Edel McGinley welcomed the code but said that it was not enforceable and there were no sanctions.
Ibec director Brendan McGinty said: "The new code will clarity and confirm the rights of workers that are employed in their employer's home, and will hopefully prove to be an invaluable source to good employers.
Siptu called for the establishment of a joint labour committee to set minimum pay and conditions for domestic workers.