Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

I am against the amendment. The original 20 weeks' remuneration was a significant punishment and deterrent for employers who did not pay. Four weeks rather than two shifts the balance slightly but, unfortunately, there will definitely be employers who will think they might get away with not paying workers their sick pay entitlements and the worst that can happen is a penalty of four weeks' pay so they will take the risk.

This provision does not apply to employers who do the right thing and provide sick pay. This is for employers who do not do the right thing and who do not provide workers with the entitlements we are passing and saying are so important and so on. I do not see the problem with having a substantial level of potential compensation that, to be clear, shall not exceed 20 weeks' compensation. The employee does not have to be awarded 20 weeks' compensation but, if the Government's amendment passes, the maximum he or she can be awarded is four weeks' compensation, which is not enough for the employee who has to put up with all of this and has to go through the rigamarole of taking a case and so on. It is not enough of a punishment and deterrent for the employer.

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