Mr. John King:

On the zero-hour contracts, we will participate in the study being undertaken by the Department in regard to the effect and prevalence of zero-hour contracts. However, I would tie that response to my earlier commentary regarding the employees in certain sectors of the economy who, because of the low levels of trade union density and a lack of advanced forms of collective bargaining therein, have no real means by which they can influence the conditions under which they are forced to work. We believe that the Oireachtas should insist by way of policy that workers in particular sectors are covered by collective agreements, be that joint labour committee or registered employment agreements, so that employers are not allowed to exercise a veto and thereby affect workers' piece. It is fundamental that vested interest groups are being allowed to cherry-pick the Oireachtas policies with which they want to comply. We believe the Oireachtas needs to deal with this issue. We believe also that it is only through the joint labour committee structure that workers will have an opportunity to influence their working conditions and ensure they get proper, decent and regular hours of work.