The Irish Congress of Trade Union is calling on the government to implement a new welfare strategy that will support full-time workers when they have gaps in employment.
ICTU President, Kevin Callinan, slammed the Irish system and described it as ‘exceptionally weak’ when compared to other EU member states.
The Department of Social Protection has published a draft Pay-Related Jobseeker’s Benefit Scheme for public feedback, so changes may be on the way.
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Speaking about the current situation in Ireland, Mr. Callinan said: “Income protection for workers is exceptionally weak in Ireland compared to the rest of the EU.
“Despite workers paying pay-related social insurance contributions when in employment, they only receive a flat weekly payment if they lose their job, fall sick, or have a baby.
“In almost all other 27 Member States, workers receive a percentage of their previous pay to protect them against a fall in living standards during short gaps in employment.”
Mr. Callinan went on to say: “Post-pandemic there is now a heightened public demand to strengthen our frayed social safety net. This cannot and should not be ignored.”
The Department of Social Protection has published a draft Pay-Related Jobseeker’s Benefit Scheme for public feedback, and ICTU general secretary Owen Reidy said: “ICTU strongly supports moving from flat-rate to pay-related benefit payments for workers.
“Full-time workers losing their job see their income fall off a cliff. Jobseeker’s Benefit (€220 a week) only replaces one quarter (25%) of the average wage and just half (49%) of an already low minimum wage.
“The same workers have 91% of their wages replaced by pay-related unemployment benefits in Belgium, 79% in Denmark, and 69% in the Netherlands.”
Mr. Reidy added: “If done right, this move will bring us in line with the rest of the EU and allow workers to continue paying their mortgage and other bills while they look for a new job.
“However, ICTU is very concerned some proposals under consideration, if not amended, will disproportionally and significantly weaken the existing income protection of low-wage part-time workers and workers with caring responsibilities, the majority of whom are women.
“The Irish Congress of Trade Unions and our affiliated unions have published a policy paper setting out our position on pay-related benefits and our recommended changes to what is being proposed.
“We look forward to engaging with Government to get the design of this significant social policy reform right for workers and their families.”
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