Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy English, to the House. In particular, I thank the Labour Party for using its Private Members' business to bring this important motion to the House. I am sure the Minister is aware of the importance of the motion.I was particularly struck by the powerful presentation and contribution to this debate by Senator Gavan and, of course, his direct experience because what we bring to the table here in the Seanad is our unique experiences in the workplace and outside of this House. It is a timely and appropriate way to bring and use that real experience he encountered with workers in the red meat sector. I will talk about them too later on.

We are aware there was no statutory right to sick leave and this debate is both lively and long overdue. I am aware it has happened in the Dáil. It is, however, important that we deal with it. Sick pay should be, and is, about a fundamental right for all workers and yet Ireland still has no statutory sick pay policy. As someone who is on the agricultural panel and had much contact with people in both the mushroom sector and cut flower industry, the red meat sector and various other horticulture and agriculture-related businesses and, particularly, the agricultural sector, this is a common problem.

A worker said to me about two weeks ago that thousands of workers, like this person, face a stark choice to self-isolate and go destitute or drag ones ill and contagious self to work. What a powerful and depressing statement at the same time. I will repeat it. Hundreds of workers are facing a stark choice, that is, self-isolate and go destitute or drag their ill and contagious selves to work. That is what this is partly about and we simply must do something about it.

Senator Gavan spoke earlier about the major problem in the red meat sector. We are aware of the knock-on effect of that and we know many people who have shared their personal experiences with regard to it. Having little money in one's pocket, with rent and bills to pay and one's family to support, is why many of these people are forced to conceal illness and drag themselves to the workplace to be able to bring back some sort of earnings to their house. That is important.

I support the Labour Party motion because it seeks to ensure that no worker will be out of pocket when he or she falls ill. I ask the Minister of State to focus on the real issue. Where is our social charter? Where are our workers' rights? What will we do about it? We need to stand in solidarity and many of us here have our benefits. Before we came into these Houses, however, we were workers too and we were subject to some of the shortcomings with regard to this matter. We should not forget that. We are aware of our neighbours, families and friends who are subject to similar situations and lack of supports, and of the security of having statutory sick leave.

I ask the Minister of State to reconsider supporting the three asks in this motion. As Senator Higgins suggested, perhaps he might do so after having listened to and reflected on the contributions in the debate in this House. He might consider either reducing the time he proposes in terms of six months to, possibly, two months if it is a real priority or, better still, perhaps he will stand in solidarity with us in this House and withdraw the amendment.