Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In advance of doing any of this, the Minister of State could choose only to spend taxpayers' money where workers' rights are respected and only do business with those companies that respect the SEOs, employment regulation orders, EROs, and registered employment agreements, REAs. These agreements show not only the power of trade unions, but they ensure better pay and conditions for workers which is very important. If the agreements are undermined and the rates of pay are not upheld and if those companies get rewarded with contracts from the Government, it sends a very poor message to workers, as does the under-resourcing of the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC. However, a specific unit to look at the employment agreements and ensure they are upheld will have a benefit across the board, not just for employees and workers, but for employers.

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