Press Releases
Labour all brass neck and backward policy on workers' rights - O'Malley
Progressive Democrats press release/Services Directive
January 25, 2006
Labour all brass neck and backward policy on workers' rights - O'Malley
Progressive Democrats TD Fiona O'Malley says the Opposition, and the Labour Party in particular, have a "brass neck" to lecture the public on issues such as the minimum wage.
She stressed that the minimum wage had been introduced by her Party leader Tanaiste Mary Harney, who had given clear assurances that it would not be violated or abused.
And she pointed to the Opposition's record in Government:
"It will no doubt pain them to be reminded that the Rainbow Government's Minister for Enterprise and Employment Richard Bruton and Minister of State Pat Rabbitte sat idly - whilst their successor, the Tánaiste was the one to act and introduce a National Minimum Wage for the first time in Ireland."
Deputy O'Malley said the Labour Party's recent proposal to introduce work permits for workers from other EU countries cemented the view that the Labour Party is a threat to Ireland's continued prosperity.
She said the Irish economy needed migrant workers to continue to thrive, pointing to recent research indicating that there will be a skills shortage of 30,000 per year over the coming decade.
"The Labour Party are adding to their reputation for being a threat to our economic progress by seeking to restrict the very resource Ireland needs to sustain and re-enforce our economic prosperity," she said.
Deputy O'Malley said while there was concern about pay and conditions, the Labour Party must explain how exactly the imposition of work permits on migrant workers would address the issue.
She said the Services Directive was pro-consumer and also good for Irish business, especially SMEs. It would address the scenario of citizens being charged different access fees to museums and marathons, simply because of their Member State of residence.
She said the Progressive Democrats did not believe the Directive would lead to exploitation or social dumping, and Ireland would not support it if it did.
For further information please contact Mary Minihan in the Progressive Democrats press office on 01-6183615 or 087-1225140. Many thanks.