Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)

On International Workers’ Day, we honour those whose work sustains our communities, public services and society. As a trade unionist, I reflect on the many struggles over many years for workers' rights and fairness. I want to speak for a group of workers who are far too often forgotten by the Government, namely those employed in the community and voluntary sector. These are people who run domestic violence refuges, addiction services, disability supports, and community-based health and social care projects. They are on the front line every day delivering essential public services, yet they are treated as second-class workers, paid less, offered weaker terms and left without pension rights, despite being funded by the State. Let us call it what it is: exploitation by government design. Workers in section 39 agencies and in section 56 and section 10 services are carrying out work on behalf of the State. Many do the same job as their HSE and Tusla colleagues but are paid thousands of euro less per year. They receive no public pension. Their organisations are denied multi-annual funding and this results in burnout, high turnover and serious gaps in service delivery to vulnerable communities and individuals. Trade unions, including SIPTU, Fórsa and my union, Unite the Union, have been absolutely clear on this. The solution is not complicated: equal pay for equal work. Public money should mean public pay, and collective bargaining rights must be respected.

Instead of delivering that, the Government continues to hide behind endless engagements and half measures.

The talks at the Workplace Relations Commission dragged on for over a year. Initial proposals fell far short of pay parity. Workers were forced to ballot for industrial action once again. Only now, after sustained pressure, has there been some progress. The Government must not create a new stalling tactic. There needs to be clarity for community and voluntary organisations as to how increased costs will be funded and how the Government will ensure that workers and clients are treated fairly. Sinn Féin has been very clear. We support a pathway to full pay parity and multi-annual and sustainable funding for the sector and we believe that workers who deliver public services should not be forced into poverty pay and insecure contracts.

That is not just an economic injustice. It is a political choice made by the Government. The truth is you cannot build a strong care infrastructure or sustainable community supports on the back of precarious work. It just does not work. You cannot champion social inclusion while turning a blind eye to the exploitation of the very workers who hold these services together. If you value these services, you must value the workers who provide them. That means treating them fairly, funding their organisations properly and giving them the same respect afforded to public sector colleagues.

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