Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This section is the heart of the Bill. It is important to recognise our obligations under ILO conventions. ILO Convention No. 87 relates to freedom of association and protection of the right to organise, which the State ratified in 1955. It states: "Workers and employers, without distinction whatsoever, shall have the right to establish and, subject only to the rules of the organisation concerned, to join organisations of their own choosing without previous authorisation". It is implicit in the words, "without distinction whatsoever", that no distinction can be drawn to exclude this right from workers who happen to be engaged under a contract to provide services, that is, self-employed. The State will respond to the ILO in November. Would it not be wonderful is this Bill was passed by then and officials could attend the ILO and relate the good news that this wrong has been righted and that we are fully compliant with ILO rules?