Four

Deliver positive workplace relations, well-functioning dispute resolution mechanisms, robust enforcement of employment rights and a safe working environment.

Quality employment rights enforcement together with well-functioning workplace relations and dispute resolution mechanisms and a safe working environment are features of a highly competitive social market economy that supports fairness, reduces inequality and maximises job creation. We will ensure that the workplace relations structures support a strong economy and a fair society by balancing flexibility and security and providing protection for all those in employment

The Workplace Relations Commission established in 2015 and the expanded Labour Court are operating at a challenging time for the economy, which although growing strongly, is still vulnerable to economic shocks. We will ensure that the machinery for the resolution of workplace disputes is supported to deliver a fast and efficient service.

Our Employment Permits system supports Ireland as an investment location by enabling enterprises to access required talent from overseas. It maximises the benefits of economic migration while minimising the risks of disrupting the labour market. We will deliver an efficient employment permits process to regulate the entry of individuals from non-EEA countries which are sufficiently flexible to react to changes in the labour market.

As we approach full employment, labour as well as skills shortages are beginning to manifest. It is timely to undertake a fundamental review of the economic migration policies underpinning our employment permits system to ensure that it is fully supportive of Ireland’s emerging labour market needs

The safety and health of all workers is critical. We will support work-related safety and health and the safe use of chemicals with a balanced and proportionate range of instruments ranging from information, targeted publicity campaigns and guidance, through to warnings and enforcement, where necessary.

Outcomes

Enforcement of employment rights that supports a strong economy and a fair society by balancing

flexibility and security and provides protection for all those in employment.

The timely and effective resolution of individual employment grievances and collective disputes to

complement support for orderly collective bargaining across the economy.

Supporting industry and job retention by ensuring a safer working environment that protects workers’

health and safety and maintains the highest standards of occupational health and safety through

enhanced enforcement, risk-based workplace inspections and effective sanctions for non-

compliance as well as enforcement of regulations to reduce the risk to human health and safety

arising from chemicals used at work and by the general public.

A demand driven skill-based and flexible employment permit system that supports Ireland as an

investment location by enabling enterprises to access required talent from overseas which avoids

disrupting the domestic labour market.