Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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157. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if his attention has been drawn to reports that an organisation (details supplied) is refusing to engage unions on issues relating to sick pay for workers in meat plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28252/20]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Industrial relations are based on voluntarism. The Minister has no power to compel parties to engage with one another. Should parties wish to explore collective bargaining in an impartial environment the conciliation services of the WRC are available.

I have publicly stated my intention to establish a Statutory Sick Pay Scheme in full consultation with employers and unions. This will build on the various improvements that have been made to social protections for workers over the last five years, including paternity benefit, parental leave benefit and the extension of social insurance benefits to the self-employed and those in the gig economy. In addition, further significant benefits, including enhanced illness benefit, have already been introduced by the Government in response to Covid-19. The introduction of a statutory sick pay scheme will guarantee horizontal sick pay protections for all employees regardless of the sector in which they work.