The Chief Executive of the Labour Relations Commission has described the rise in employment rights complaints as an 'explosion'.
In the LRC annual report for 2009 published today, Kieran Mulvey forecasts that referrals for 2010 were likely to exceed 16,000 compared to 14,000 for 2009.
Mr Mulvey said the service was not equipped to deal with this level of referrals.
He pointed out that in some cases problems arise in processing a complaint because the employer has ceased trading.
Mr Mulvey said a 'clearing house arrangement' between employment rights dispute investigation bodies was essential if the current situation were to be managed appropriately.
The employment environment has become much more complex, he said.
Mr Mulvey added that there was a need for a user friendly, one-stop shop approach to statutory dispute resolution.
