Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this debate and support the motion, which is about people and respecting and protecting the rights of all workers. Above all, it is about supporting an exploited group of people who want to do a day's work for a day's pay. It is important that we get to the heart of the matter.

I pay tribute to the Dunnes Stores workers for their bravery of recent weeks. I attended the picket lines at Donaghmede and the Northside Shopping Centre in Coolock. I was impressed by the workers' determination, vision and courage. We all have a duty and responsibility to support them.

When I listen to the Minister, Deputy Bruton, I often wonder whether he is living in a different land. This is the man who, in recent weeks, had a go at public servants. Does he not realise that they have taken a salary hit in recent years? Does he not realise all of the reforms that the public service has implemented?

All of this is going on, but the Minister seems to be unaware of it.

The really sad aspect of the Minister's response is his failure to acknowledge that the so-called recovery is being built on the growing exploitation of workers. Does he know, for example, that 5,000 people are on Government activation schemes like JobBridge and Gateway? Is he aware that 25% of all workers earn less than the living wage of €11.45 per hour? If one is young and-or female in this country, one is more likely to be earning below the living wage. Ireland has the highest rate of under-employment in the European Union. Under-employment refers to a situation where workers desire more hours than they are currently being allocated. Income inequality is cause for serious concern. Even such bodies as the OECD, World Bank and IMF, as well as the Think-Tank for Action on Social Change, TASC, have all said that gross income inequality is growing and identify it as a serious impediment to future economic growth.

I urge all Deputies to support this motion. It is about seeking to deal with zero-hours contracts and low pay. Above all, however, it is about putting down a marker for the future of the citizens of this country in terms of ensuring adequate working conditions and proper wages. The actions it recommends are necessary if we are to generate a strong and sustainable economy that will lead to the creation of more jobs.

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