Nessa Cosgrove (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. I thank Senator Fitzpatrick for bringing this Bill forward. As a party that always stands up for workers, the Labour Party welcomes the Bill and the sentiment of it. It is poignant that it is union week, and it is coming up to May Day. I am proud to say that my Labour Party colleague Ruairí Quinn brought in a public holiday on 1 May to celebrate workers’ day. This morning, we were at a briefing on the protection of SNA workers and teachers. It is important that we not only look at the protection of workers, but also at payments for workers. I know this has particularly come up with retail and hospital workers, who are some of the most low paid in our society. It is unfortunate to see the Government rowing back on basic provisions for workers, going back to five days from the commitment to seven days for sick pay and reneging on pension auto-enrolment. Most important, it is delaying the move from the minimum wage to the living wage. Having said that, I am the Labour Party spokesperson on workers' rights and it is important to me that these concerns are listened to, without taking away from the Bill.

I note that we marked Workers' Memorial Day on 28 April, a few days ago. People should be able get up in the morning, go into work and come home from work in a safe space. I hope there is recognition for that. As other Senators have said, I am not sure the Bill will bring anything new but at least it ensures people are recognised, appreciated and respected. In my constituency in Sligo, during Covid, a woman, Paulina, was assaulted when she was working just for asking somebody to put on their mask. There was a similar situation in Letterkenny. While other workers stayed at home, these people were going out to work in low-paid jobs and providing essential services. There was a lot of clapping people on the back and recognition of cleaners, care workers and others in low-paid jobs at the time but as soon as Covid ended we rowed back on that. Is there any way we could bring statutory sick leave back up to seven days? I know Fianna Fáil as a party is now in a position to be able to look at this, ensure we are moving towards a living wage, and to change the narrative around that. Otherwise, we are very happy to support this Bill.