Legislation to protect workers in casual and precarious employment is set to come into force next March, according to the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty.
The Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill is intended to improve security and predictability of working hours for those on zero hours or so-called "if and when" contracts.
Under the legislation, zero hours contracts will be banned except in situations of "genuine casual employment" where they are essential to allow employers to provide cover in emergency situations, or to cover short-term absences.
There will be a new minimum payment for workers who turn up for work but are sent home again without any hours of employment.
There is also provision for "banded" hours, where a worker is entitled to be placed on a band of hours that reflects the hours they have actually worked over a 12 month reference period, rather than the hours outlined in the employee's contract of employment.
Employers must also give employees their basic terms of employment within five days of being hired.
The legislation also contains anti-penalisation provisions for employees who invoke their rights under this law.
The bill today completed its report and final stages in the Seanad and Minister Doherty said she wants it to be finalised before the Dáil on Tuesday, after which it will be sent to the President to be signed into law.
She described the bill as one of the most significant pieces of employment legislation in a generation, which was balanced and fair to both employers and employees.
She said that the reforms would ensure that the legal protections for all workers will match the conditions experienced by a modern workforce, and make a real difference in the lives of thousands of workers.
The Workplace Relations Commission is to mount a short public awareness campaign ahead before the law comes into force to inform those who stand to benefit from the legislation.
