Denis Landy (Labour)

I ask the Leader to request the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, to examine the plight of workers in some call centres. We have made great play of attracting foreign direct investment and creating employment in call centres. However, the stark reality is that some employees are being very badly treated. The health and safety guidelines that pertain to employees in call centres are not being implemented. People are being denied the basic right to use the toilet during their working time. They are being confined to their desks for periods of time that are considerably longer than those specified in the guidelines. People in many call centres are suffering from back strain, repetitive strain injury, stress, etc. Workers in this area have a basic right to be treated properly, and the health and safety guidelines should be adhered to. I ask the Leader to request that the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, examine the guidelines set out in this area which pertain to office work in general and not specifically to call centres which is the big problem. Having examined them, he should replace them with guidelines that reflect the type of working conditions experienced by these people.