LABOUR TD KENNY HAILS NEW PROTECTION FOR LOW PAID

Posted on July 5, 2012 12:18 PM   |   Permanent Link   

Dublin North East Labour TD Seán Kenny has welcomed the completion of Joint Labour Committee (JLC) legislation and says that this is yet more evidence that Labour is delivering on its promises in Government.

"The Joint Labour Committee legislation passed through its final stages on Wednesday evening. When it is implemented, it will ensure more protection for workers on wages as low as €18,000 per annum.

"The legislation ensures that recommendations for decent pay and conditions that are agreed at Joint Labour Committees, including delivery of sector specific minimum wage rates, will be respected and enforced.

"The reason for the new law is because of a recent High Court judgement struck that down the entire JLC system that was in place previously, which led to increasing uncertainty for tens of thousands of low paid workers and their families, risking downward pressure on wages at the cost of domestic demand and family incomes.

"In just 16 months, Labour in government has fought hard to protect the rights of low paid workers and defend the interests of their families.

"So far in Government, Labour has reversed the cut in the minimum wage as well as ensuring that over 330,000 low paid workers were taken out of the Universal Social Charge net in the last budget, when others said these things would not be done. The new JLC legislation is another good news story for the thousands of individuals and families who work in lower paid sectors of our economy. These new provisions show that Labour is on their side, despite what other parties in politics may say."