In this week’s Public Policy bulletin read about a public consultation on an EU Directive on new rights to improve terms and conditions for workers; a new report on Ireland’s competitiveness which points to an uncertain Irish economic outlook; an EU Transparency Pledge calling for a European Union that is accountable, effective, and transparent; and Ireland’s commitment to improving the quantity and quality of finance that helps developing countries adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Public consultation on EU Directive on new rights to improve terms and conditions for workers
On the same week as the Low Pay Commission reportedly recommended an increase on the current minimum wage of €10.20, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, published a public consultation on an EU Directive which will give new rights to improve terms and conditions for workers. EU Directive 2019/1152 on Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions will give workers the right to:
- more complete information on the essential aspects of the work, which is to be received early by the worker, in writing
- a limit to the length of probationary periods at the beginning of a job
- seek additional employment, with a ban on exclusivity clauses and limits on incompatibility clauses
- know in a reasonable period in advance when work will take place – that is, for workers with very unpredictable working schedules, as in the case of on-demand work
- to request to be transferred to a form of employment with more predictable and secure working conditions where available and receive a reasoned written reply
- to receive mandatory training, cost-free, that is required to carry out the work for which he or she is employed.
Commenting, the Tánaiste said: “Much of what is required under this Directive has already been implemented, such as the restriction on zero-hour contracts, and we are now moving to implement the remaining provisions. We will be considering putting limits on the length of time an employer can put a worker on probation and ensuring workers get the training they need to do their job. We will also be ensuring more reasonable periods of notice are given when work is unpredictable in nature. I look forward to considering all views received. I also want to make sure that any changes won’t damage job creation or create unrealistic or onerous obligations on employers.”
The deadline for responses is 3pm on Monday, 25 October 2021. More information on the Directive, which must be transposed into Irish law by August 2022, can be found here.
Report launches on Ireland’s competitiveness
A report on Ireland’s competitiveness, which launched this week, notes that that despite positive forecasts, considerable uncertainty remains with regards to the Irish economic outlook.
The report, entitled Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2021, was published by the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC), which reports to the Taoiseach and the Government on key competitiveness and productivity challenges facing the Irish economy, and offers recommendations on the policy actions required to address these challenges.
The report identifies four broad medium- and long-term strategic challenges aimed at enhancing Ireland’s competitiveness and productivity performance:
- Ensure Ireland has a dynamic business environment
- Increase productivity growth
- Deliver infrastructure for a new way of living and
- Progress sustainability and inclusivity policies.
It also made 20 targeted and actionable recommendations to Government, which are intended to lay solid foundations today for a speedy and balanced recovery in order to secure an improvement in the standard of living for all of society.
The full report and the list of recommendations are available here.
Ireland signs EU Transparency Pledge
The Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD, has joined several of his fellow EU Ministers and Members of the European Parliament in signing an EU Transparency Pledge, calling for a European Union that is accountable, effective and transparent and which engages and involves EU citizens. The pledge – which comes ahead of the launch of the 2nd European Citizens’ Panel of the Conference on the Future of Europe –commits signatories to take steps to ensure the EU decision-making process becomes more open so that citizens can better follow how decisions are made in the EU.
Commenting, Minister Byrne encouraged all European citizens to take part in the Conference on the Future of Europe to engage in the discussions on how the EU can foster a higher degree of transparency in its work. While he commended the EU and its Institutions to date for their commitment to pursuing the principles of transparency and accountability, Minister Byrne further stated that “there is still more that can be done so that citizens can better follow the EU’s democratic processes, and understand how decisions affecting their lives are made. The EU should also set a strong example internationally as having an effective, inclusive and transparent decision-making process.”
Ireland joins Champions Group on Adaptation Finance
The Minister for Overseas Development Aid and the Diaspora, Colm Brophy TD, has given Ireland’s commitment to improving the quantity and quality of finance that helps developing countries adapt to the impacts of climate change. Minister Brophy joined leaders from the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Finland in a UN General Assembly high-level side event to mark the launch of a new informal Champions Group on Adaptation Finance. The group have joined forces to increase the total share of climate finance spent on adaptation and resilience, and to advocate for improved quality and accessibility of adaptation finance.
Commenting, Minister Brophy stated that “As a country with a strong track record in supporting climate action in vulnerable countries, particularly Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, Ireland is reiterating its support for increased funding for climate adaptation, and working with other donor countries to respond to the needs of people most at risk of climate change.”
UK first “green gilt” receives record bids
The UK Government launched its first “green gilt” this week, with investors reportedly placing more than £100bn of bids for the new 12-year bond. The bid raised £10 billion from investors, which makes it the largest sovereign green bond on record.
The money raised by the bonds must be spent on projects in line with the green financing framework published by the UK government in June.
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