The Oireachtas Gender Equality Committee was today due to discuss pay and workplace conditions with representatives from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
The meeting was due to focus on the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on the gender pay gap, the minimum wage and the right to collective bargaining.
"We look forward to discussing recommendations relating to pay and workplace conditions particularly as we emerge from the pandemic and workplaces try to implement hybrid, flexible and remote working schemes," said Committee Cathaoirleach Ivana Bacik ahead of the meeting.
In its report, the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality recommended that the State should set targets in legislation to reduce the hourly gender pay gap from 14% to 9% by 2025 and to 4% by 2030, with a view to eliminating it by 2035.
The report also recommended that the Gender Pay Gap Information Bill should be enacted and implemented without delay and the new law should include penalties for non-compliance and an obligation for annual reporting.
In his opening statement, ICTU's David Joyce was expected to tell the committee that Congress is pleased that gender pay gap audits are currently under way in workplaces of greater than 250 employees and that ICTU will next week publish a guide for trade union workplace representatives participating in the process.
The first pay gap reports are due to be published in December.
"Trade unions will be knocking on employers’ doors from December seeking discussions and agreement as to how any gaps identified will be addressed in a timely and effective manner," Mr Joyce was expected to tell the committee.
