The Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017, brought by Employment Affairs and Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty, T.D., has cleared the Committee Stage in the Dáil.
The objective of the Bill is to improve the security and predictability of working hours for employees on insecure contracts, and those working variable hours. It follows the publication of the University of Limerick study on zero-hour contracts and low-hour contracts, as well as an extensive public consultation process and in-depth discussions with ICTU and IBEC over a number of months.
Commenting on the Bill, Minister Doherty said: “This is a substantial piece of legislation that will improve the security and predictability of employment for thousands of workers. Once passed, the Act will apply to all employers across all sectors of the economy. We have sought to strike a fair balance between the respective rights and obligations of employees and employers. Our approach in this Bill is to try to ensure that where we are introducing new rights for employees, or strengthening existing provisions in the law, the measures are proportionate and balanced.
“The vast majority of employers are honourable in their treatment of their employees, and meet their responsibilities under employment law. These employers should have nothing to fear in this Bill. On the contrary, the Bill is aimed at tackling exploitative employment arrangements, and employers who do not respect even the most basic rights of employees.”
