Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 21 proposes to introduce a new section 7 to the Bill to introduce anti-victimisation protections for workers who have made a statement or have given evidence to the Low Pay Commission via their representative organisation.As the House will be aware, there are already a considerable number of protections in place for workers who consider that they have been the subject of victimisation in the workplace and any worker who might find themselves the subject of victimisation measures for making a statement to the Low Pay Commission or giving evidence via their trade union already has the possibility of taking a case under the Industrial Relations Act. In addition, the 2004 code of practice on victimisation provides that where there is a dispute in an employment where collective bargaining fails to take place and where negotiating arrangements are not in place, no person should be victimised or suffer disadvantage as a consequence of their legitimate actions or affiliation arising from the dispute.

A procedure for addressing complaints of victimisation is set out in the Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 and these protections, as the House may be aware, will be further enhanced by me in the context of provisions in the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015 dealing with the Government's commitment on collective bargaining, which this House will have an opportunity to consider over the next few weeks. Accordingly, I cannot accept this amendment.