Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Dunnes Stores might thank Senator Craughwell for not mentioning it. Amendment No. 18 proposes to introduce in a new section 7 of the Bill anti-victimisation protections for workers who have made a statement or given evidence to the Low Pay Commission via their representative organisation. There are already a number of protections in place for workers who consider that they have been subject to victimisation in the workplace. Any worker who might find him- or herself 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 Acts. 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, indeed, affiliation, arising from that dispute. A procedure for addressing complaints of victimisation is set out in the Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. These protections will be enhanced in the context of provisions in the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015, dealing with the Government's commitment to collective bargaining, which this House will have an opportunity to consider over the next couple of weeks. Accordingly, I cannot accept this amendment.