Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016 is very important legislation that is supported by ICTU, in particular by the main union organising retail workers, Mandate. Both organisations may propose amendments on Committee Stage. I understand that Deputy Cullinane is open to any such amendment. While zero-hour contracts are not as widespread here as they are in the UK, for example, that does not mean that they are not widespread and a growing abuse of low-hour contracts and flexible work arrangements, particularly in the retail and so-called hospitality sector, fast-food outlets and so on. It is not a problem confined to small enterprises, but major multiples and multinationals such as Dunnes Stores, Tesco and McDonald's among others. There has been a huge growth in part-time employment and underemployment since the 2008 crash. We have the second highest rate of underemployment in the OECD. There are 450,000 part-time workers, of whom one third, 150,000 workers, would like more hours or full-time jobs. Between 20% to 25% of our workforce is low paid, that is, they are earning less than two thirds of the median wage, which is already low at €28,500. Of real concern is the fact that these low contracts and flexible work arrangements are being deliberately used by companies such as Dunnes Stores to bully and intimidate workers with the objective of attempting to submiss and cow the workforce. The Bill will help workers to resist such bullying and will help unions to organise.

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