Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for attending. I must declare a vested interest in that I have been a very proud member of Unite for more than 35 years.

Mr. Berney said that it might be worthwhile for the committee to explore the impact of the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018 and "to ensure that the intent of the Oireachtas has been implemented in the sector." In what way does he envisage this could be done? Does he think that a hospitality commission is needed and should be set up? How would such a commission benefit employees?

Dr. Curran states in her submission that "Many establishments are small and owner-managed by people with a passion for craft and service but not necessarily trained in people management." Does she think that training in people management should be made compulsory? Do the statistics on the incidence of psychological and verbal abuse refer to the public or to management and business owners? Has she conducted a gender-based study on the sector?

The results of the survey conducted by Unite are damning. We can see the reasons people are choosing not to return to work. I have dealt with people who have worked in the sector so I know that Covid has forced them to consider other jobs. Those people have decided not to return because of the simple reasons that Ms Marciniak explored. For example, 70% reported witnessing or being bullied at work and 31% of respondents believed that migrant workers were treated equally in the work place. Can Ms Marciniak expand on what type of discrimination and inequality is happening? Does she favour the legal recognition of collective bargaining? Is the union conducting a campaign in that regard?

As I have experienced before, although it has stopped lately, there are people on zero contract hours. I encountered a case of a young Polish woman who has two children attending school and she was on zero contract hours. She used to get a phone call at 2.55 p.m. when she was about to leave home to collect her children from school but she had to turn up to work. It is disgraceful that such work practices happen.