A union representing workers at Tara Mines has called for the Government's plan to introduce pay-related Jobseeker's Benefit to be brought forward.
It was among the measures announced in Budget 2024, for introduction in December next year, subject to Government approval and pending a final scheme design.
SIPTU has now said the scheme should be immediately introduced to prevent workers like those in Tara Mines "falling into poverty".
In July, 600 workers were temporarily laid off at the Co Meath mine after it was placed into a period of "care and maintenance".
Its owner, Boliden, said the decision was taken in response to unsustainable losses at the mine, citing factors including a decline in the price of zinc and high energy costs.
SIPTU Divisional Organiser Adrian Kane said they welcomed the commitment by Government to introduce a pay-related model in December 2024.
However, he said there was "no reason why a temporary scheme could not be put in place now in the same way that the PUP payment was introduced during the Covid-19 crisis".
A spokesperson for Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said she will bring final proposals on a pay related benefit scheme to Government in the coming weeks.
However it is not expected to be operational until the second half of next year due to the need for legislation and "significant IT development work".
The spokesperson said the minister has signed regulations to extend the legislative provisions to safeguard Jobseekers Benefit Payments for Tara Mines workers for a further 13 weeks.
Earlier this week, SIPTU hosted a meeting in Navan with local TDs including Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, and local councillors.
Mr Kane said that SIPTU is seeking the support of all public representatives to support the Irish Congress of Trade Unions proposals for Jobseeker's Benefit to be increased to 70% of average earnings, capped at €550 for a minimum of nine months.
Meanwhile, the union has made further calls for the parent company in Sweden to engage with unions.
Sector Organiser John Regan said that management at Boliden Tara Mines had refused to give a date for the reopening of the mine or engage in redundancy negotiations.
"Unions have stepped up to the plate by tabling 62 proposals for improving efficiencies at the mine that could have prevented the lay-offs. It is time for Boliden to show some loyalty to its workforce and halt the state of limbo imposed on their workers," he said.
In a statement, Boliden Tara Mines said that it appreciates the impact the lack of a return date is having on its employees.
"We are doing everything we can to expedite a timely reopening," it said.
The company said reopening will ultimately "be heavily influenced by external market conditions," but the development of a rescue plan will help to expedite this process.
It says it has committed to working with unions to develop this plan, which will involve a series of independently facilitated workshops attended by unions, employees and management.
The company says the purpose of this is "the exchange of ideas and knowledge" to address operational issues, which were among the challenges which led to the decision to temporarily close the mine.
Boliden says that it has been in continuous dialogue with the group of unions since the onset of the care and maintenance arrangement and agreed to extend the current support package for employees at a review meeting earlier this month.
"Our focus is on the development of a plan that will ensure reopening can take place as soon as conditions allow. We will continue to engage locally with the unions throughout this process," it said.
