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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Security workers wage order

Summary

Deputy Bríd Smith challenged Government over Top Security blocking a wage increase under an employment regulation order for security workers. The Tánaiste said employers should follow the order and promised to come back on the specific point.

On Tuesday Top Security, which has blocked a meagre wage increase for security workers for the last 21 months, will be in court in an attempt to continue to block that cost-of-living increase, which would bring all 15,000 security workers up to €12.90 per hour, which is not exactly a king's ransom for workers doing one of the most dangerous, most antisocial and toughest jobs in the country. Those workers also worked throughout the Covid pandemic. I am referring to Top Security and a small wage increase it blocked under an employment regulation order. Why has the Government changed the rules on issuing licences to private security firms by removing the clear demand that any private security firm must comply with the State's employment regulatory order in order to get its licence? What strategy does the Government have to protect low-paid workers from this sort of vicious attack by employers that stops them earning a decent living?

Comment on this

The employer should adhere to the employment regulation order in respect-----

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The Government has allowed it not to.

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I can come back to the Deputy on that particular point. We will take any measures we can to ensure adherence to the employment regulatory order.

Comment on this

That is an unbelievable answer.

Comment on this

I will come back to the Deputy on it.

Comment on this