NERA Launches Public Awareness Campaign

Minister Martin launches Workers Rights Campaign

National Employment Rights Authority carries out 14,000 inspections and recovers €2.5m in arrears for workers during first year of operation

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, TD has today (Thursday 10th January 2008) launched a major publicity campaign to inform workers of their rights as new figures confirm that the National Employment Rights Authority recovered €2.5m in wages for workers during 2007.

Launching the campaign the Minister noted that 2007 had been a busy first year for NERA with more than 93,000 calls received by members of the public. Over the year more than 14,000 inspections were carried out with targeted campaigns aimed at enforcing the minimum wage, protecting young workers and the construction sector.

NERA also continued with its prosecution remit with 98 cases referred to the Chief State Solicitors Office.

Minister Martin said “The launch of this information campaign marks another important step in ensuring that employers know their responsibilities and that workers know their rights.”

“This will be an extensive information campaign with information being provided online, on radio and television as well as through billboard and the print media. Running over a 12 month period the aim is to reach 85% of the population.”

“The launch of a new website, www.employmentrights.ie, is also an important resource for employers and employees alike.”

Minister for Labour Affairs Billy Kelleher TD said:  “This is a new era for employment rights compliance and enforcement. With increased staff and new locations NERA will be extending their reach and building a strong public profile. I wish them well as they make an enhanced contribution to the quality of our workplaces which are a key economic and social priority of this Government”. 

Ger Deering, Director of NERA said, “We want to make sure that every employee knows what their employment rights are, that every employer knows their responsibilities and that all are aware of how to find out about them.”

“This is why we have today launched this major awareness campaign, backed up by NERA’s information services, it will support the work of our offices in Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Shannon and Sligo. Employers and employees can find out more via our website, email, Locall telephone number and through our information leaflets published in several different languages.”

“Of course, providing information is only one aspect of NERA’s work and we are also saying to people to get informed because it’s the law and where issues of non compliance are detected NERA will act to address them,” concluded Mr Deering.

(This press release is also available on the Department’s website www.entemp.ie)  ENDS/ETE1832

For more details contact:

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Press Office-  01 631 2525

Jerry O’Connor, Media Advisor, Department of Enterprise - 087 6630338

Keating & Associates, 01 662 0345

Notes For Editors

The National Employment Rights Authority was established on an interim basis by the Government in 2007 on foot of a commitment in the most recent social partnership agreement, Towards 2016.

NERA aims to secure compliance with employment rights legislation and to foster a culture of compliance in Ireland through five main functions:

 

Information

The role of NERA Information Services is to provide free, unbiased information on employment rights in Ireland to employers, employees and other interested parties.

 

Inspection

NERA will have a total of 90 inspectors, who will have the power to inspect an employers records under legislation, photocopy records and interview and require information from any relevant person. Inspection Officers operate on a regionalised basis throughout the country.

 

Enforcement

The Enforcement Services Unit can seek to have a determination of the Labour Court or the Employment Appeals Tribunal enforced through the Courts Service in certain specific circumstances.

 

Prosecution

Where a breach of Employment Rights legislation has been identified NERA’s Inspection Services’ primary role is to seek compliance with the legislation and rectification of the breach. This includes redress for the employees concerned and payment of any arrears due.    

 

Protection of Young Persons

The Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996 is designed to protect the health of young workers, and to ensure that work done during the school years does not put their education at risk. The law sets minimum age limits for employment, sets rest intervals and maximum working hours, and prohibits the employment of those under 18 years of age on late night work. Employers must also keep specified records for those workers aged under 18.

NERA is an Office of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and has its headquarters in Carlow, with regional offices in Cork, Dublin, Shannon and Sligo.  Ger Deering is the Director of NERA, and he is supported in his role by NERA’s Management Team and a staff of 141.                            

 

ENDS

Date Released: 10 January 2008