Mr Billy Kelleher, TD, Outlines Upcoming Steps in Employment Law Compliance – Oct '07

Mr Kelleher spoke recently at the Irish Bank Official Association's (IBOA) conference. In the course of his speech he reported on the progress achieved to date on a number of important steps which are aimed at improving the rights of employees.

The Minister stated that the new Employment Law Compliance Bill will be published early in 2008. It will provide for the establishment of the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) on a statutory basis. In the future, there will be a new model of compliance, which will result in increased penalties across all employment rights legislation, simplification of adjudication and redress mechanisms, and a strengthening of arrangements to facilitate Labour Inspectors to carry out their function.

NERA was set up on an interim basis earlier in 2007. Mr Kelleher explained that in its proposals NERA has indicated that Labour Inspectors will be based in regional offices in Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Sligo, and its headquarters will be in Carlow. Mr Kelleher reminded delegates that under the national partnership agreement, Towards 2016, the number of Labour Inspectors will be increased to 90 by the end of 2007. He confirmed that this goal is well on its way to full implementation, with 48 Inspectors in place currently. In addition, 10 foreign language Inspectors are ready to commence in the role.

The Minister also referred to the commitment built into Towards 2016 to strengthen legislation in relation to the Employment Agency sector. New legislation is proposed which would provide for a licensing system based on a statutory Code of Practice covering standards of behaviour for Employment Agencies. In addition, it is proposed that a Monitoring and Advisory Committee would be established to advise the Department on matters relating to the overall operation of this sector.

Subscribers to HR-essentials have an opportunity to hear, at first hand, how NERA intends to enforce legal compliance standards at Graphite HRM's Autumn Breakfast Seminar on 23rd October 2007. For further details, or to book a place, please call Vera on 01-662 7099.