SIPTU has called for the establishment of a Joint Labour Committee to set minimum pay and conditions of employment for domestic workers.
Rhonda Donaghey of the Union's Domestic Workers Support Group urged the creation of the new JLC after a new Code of Practice to protect domestic workers was launched by Labour Affairs Minister Tony Killeen earlier today.
Ms Donaghey welcomed the launch of the code, but added that the Government should take this initiative onto the next stage by establishing a JLC which will protect workers' pay and conditions by law.
The code sets out minimum standards that must apply to all domestic workers and confirms the legal responsibility of employers towards their employees.
It is hoped that it will help end some forms of abuse of domestic workers including excessive working hours and being permanently 'on call'.
Under the terms of the code, domestic workers must be provided with written terms and conditions of employment, setting out clearly their duties, rates of pay and hours of work.
The code also sets out the maximum deductions that can be made from wages for room and board.
It prohibits the holding of an employee's personal documentation, such as a passport, by an employer.
They will also be entitled to privacy and to join a trade union.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions described the new code of practice as a major step forward in defending the most vulnerable workers.
It added these workers are predominantly female and from overseas.
The code was developed following negotiations between ICTU, employers' body IBEC and the Labour Relations Commission.
