Labour Employer Economic Forum discusses economic and trade developments

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin this morning chaired the first plenary meeting of the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) since the formation of the new government.

The LEEF is made up of representatives from the government, employers and trade unions and provides for tripartite dialogue on economic and employment issues as they affect the labour market.

Alongside the Taoiseach, the government was represented by the Tánaiste, the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.

The meeting discussed latest economic and trade developments, in particular the challenges arising from the US decision to impose tariffs on imports from the European Union. All sides acknowledged the challenging global and geopolitical landscape and the associated risks to the economy and labour market.

Perspectives were shared by the employer and trade union representatives on how best Ireland can collectively respond, as a member of the European Union, to these developments.

It was agreed that all sides would continue to work constructively together, as has been the case on other recent challenges, to minimise the impact on employers and workers in most affected sectors, and to ensure Ireland’s future economic prosperity.

The meeting was also briefed on the potential to strengthen the all-island labour market for the benefit of employers and workers on the entire island, and it was agreed that LEEF would put a sustained focus on this important agenda.

There was also an update on preparation of Ireland’s Action Plan on the Promotion of Collective Bargaining, which is required to be published by the end of 2025.

The meeting noted that a public consultation on the action plan would be launched shortly.

The meeting also provided the opportunity to give an update on a number of broader labour market policy developments and to discuss remote and blended working policies.

Finally, the meeting agreed to finalise a work programme for LEEF for the period ahead and to re-establish a number of sub-groups.