Press release
Publication of the Final Report of the LEEF High-Level Working Group on Collective Bargaining
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar, have today announced the publication of the Final Report of the LEEF High-Level Working Group on Collective Bargaining. The High-Level Working Group was formed in March 2021 to review the collective bargaining landscape in Ireland and to make recommendations for improvement.
The Taoiseach said:
"I welcome the publication of the Report of the High-Level Review Group on Collective Bargaining, established under the auspices of the government’s Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF). I would like to thank the members of the Group for their contribution and their commitment in finding consensus on the recommendations. The Report will now be fully considered by Government, with a view to how its recommendations can be best implemented.
"The publication of this Report is timely, given the renewed focus at a European and international level on collective bargaining. The recommendations in this report will ensure Ireland is well placed to respond to EU developments in relation to collective bargaining.
"I look forward to continuing to engage, through LEEF, on the issues raised and how we can continue to promote a positive industrial relations landscape in Ireland."
The Tánaiste said:
"Ireland operates a voluntary system of industry relations, where the State tries to help parties to reach agreement among themselves. This has been very successful in resolving many complex and protracted disputes. However, our laws are weak when parties refuse to engage. We also need to keep abreast of the legal situation, as well as developments at EU level which will require us to promote better representation of workers in the workplace.
"The High-level Working Group on Collective Bargaining, which I set up to look at this area, has now submitted its final report. The Group has examined closely the existing workplace relations framework, the issue of trade union recognition and the current statutory wage-setting mechanisms. My sincere thanks to the Group for its work. I have asked my department to consider the report, consult with stakeholders and develop proposals for implementation which would be subject to a further government decision."