Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We all appreciate the immense work done by the staff in the community and voluntary sector in caring for so many across society as they support people in homelessness and addiction, and in staffing refuges and rape crisis centres. Yet, such workers are paid much less than equivalent staff employed directly by the State, despite many of them propping up many State services. In October last year, we in the Labour Party brought forward a motion which would have delivered pay parity for these vulnerable workers in the community and voluntary sector. We have seen no action from the Government since then, despite the fact the Government waved that motion through. The national executive of the Fórsa trade union is now backing a proposal for strike action in a number of community and voluntary sector agencies. If it goes ahead, that strike action will affect many staff and, crucially, the many people for whom those staff are caring and providing invaluable supports. The last thing any of these workers want is to take to the picket line. Will the Government face up to its responsibility and give workers in the community and voluntary sector the pay rise they deserve?

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