Minister Martin launches Workers Rights Campaign

National Employment Rights Authority carries out 14,000 inspections and recovers €2.5m in arrears for workers during first year of operation

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, TD has today (Thursday 10^th January 2008) launched a major publicity campaign to inform workers of their rights as new figures confirm that the National Employment Rights Authority recovered €2.5m in wages for workers during 2007.

Launching the campaign the Minister noted that 2007 had been a busy first year for NERA with more than 93,000 calls received by members of the public. Over the year more than 14,000 inspections were carried out with targeted campaigns aimed at enforcing the minimum wage, protecting young workers and the construction sector.

NERA also continued with its prosecution remit with 98 cases referred to the Chief State Solicitors Office.

Minister Martin said “The launch of this information campaign marks another important step in ensuring that employers know their responsibilities and that workers know their rights.”

“This will be an extensive information campaign with information being provided online, on radio and television as well as through billboard and the print media. Running over a 12 month period the aim is to reach 85% of the population.”

“The launch of a new website, www.employmentrights.ie, is also an important resource for employers and employees alike.”

Minister for Labour Affairs Billy Kelleher TD said: “This is a new era for employment rights compliance and enforcement. With increased staff and new locations NERA will be extending their reach and building a strong public profile. I wish them well as they make an enhanced contribution to the quality of our workplaces which are a key economic and social priority of this Government”.

Ger Deering, Director of NERA said, “We want to make sure that every employee knows what their employment rights are, that every employer knows their responsibilities and that all are aware of how to find out about them.”

“This is why we have today launched this major awareness campaign, backed up by NERA’s information services, it will support the work of our offices in Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Shannon and Sligo. Employers and employees can find out more via our website, email, Locall telephone number and through our information leaflets published in several different languages.”

“Of course, providing information is only one aspect of NERA’s work and we are also saying to people to get informed because it’s the law and where issues of non compliance are detected NERA will act to address them,” concluded Mr Deering.