Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)

The High Court decision that the JLCs were unconstitutional represents an extremely serious attack on workers who already were highly vulnerable. Statistics were provided during the last debate on this topic that showed the enormous number of breaches that take place in these sectors in any case. In effect, employers now have been given the green light to decimate wages and conditions and this intention is spelled out clearly by organisations such as IBEC, which is lauding the fact that pay rates for new workers have fallen by as much as 20% to 30% in recent years. It is quite clear that over the summer, workers will face the issuing of new contracts. My point is that if Fianna Fáil is serious in this regard and is serious about introducing protection, the legislation must be pushed through all Stages before the Dáil rises for the summer.

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