Five new workers’ rights will be introduced this year Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said this morning (Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment).

These rights include:

• Statutory sick pay,
• Right to request remote working,
• Protection of tips,
• New redundancy rights for people laid off during the pandemic, and,
• An additional public holiday to bring Ireland in line with Europe.

Pension auto-enrolment

The Tánaiste also said he wanted progress on auto-enrolment on pensions, ensuring that everyone has access to an occupational pension to supplement the State one.

Speaking at the launch of the the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) annual employment figures 2021, the minister said that the pandemic has prompted a permanent shift in the way we perceive work and the broader economy, and policymakers must respond.

The LEO figures show that over 7,400 new jobs were created by LEO clients in 2021 and 3,000 jobs net.

He added that he will be listening to the views of small business as these reforms are introduced and keeping a close eye on costs and competitiveness.

“I firmly believe that better pay, benefits and protections for workers will help us to recruit and retain the skilled staff we need to power the 21st century economy,” he said.