Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank all our guests for coming in.

It is disturbing to hear of the surveys. We know what is going on but when you see it in front of you, it is a different matter. I am a member of Unite and have been for the past 36 years. I am proud of the union and happy to be associated with it. We all know it. The statistics are there. Some 68% of staff in this industry are paid less than the minimum wage. We are aware of the conditions. The pandemic highlighted a lot of stuff. For years, it was brushed under the carpet. It is coming out now. People have left the industry in their droves and have discovered there is more money out there to be earned. I had an example of a sous chef. The main chef left and he was put in charge. He was working until 4 a.m. His relationship with his partner was almost gone; he could not see her. He had to order all the stuff in. It was accepted that he did all that without any extra pay. We are aware of the conditions there.

One of my party's answers - we would be definitely in favour of it - is collective bargaining. That is the main issue here in the country. We have had great trade union work along the whole way, from James Connolly and others. The unions are still fighting the same fight which should not have to happen. We should recognise that people have a right to association. They have a right to join a union. They have a right to be represented. That does not really happen in the hospitality sector. What is the most important recommendation our guests would propose to the Government in terms of legislation regarding workers' rights in this sector and what needs to be done to improve enforcement of workers' rights legislation with this industry? Obviously, the JLC is a major issue, as is the veto that the employers have at present, which, as far as I am concerned, is totally wrong because you should be able to sit down and work out your conditions. People have to live. A living wage would benefit the country immensely. I do not know why people do not see that. Maybe those two questions would make a start. What is the most important recommendation they would propose to the Government in terms of legislation regarding workers' rights in this sector? What needs to be done to improve enforcement of workers' rights legislation with this industry?