Workers rally in Dublin on first day of EU Presidency

Workers in the cleaning, security and catering sectors held a rally in Dublin to demand better working conditions and wages to mark the first day of Ireland’s EU Presidency.

SIPTU and UNI Europa, the European federation of service sector trade unions, organised a demonstration outside the Office of Government Procurement on Mayor Street in Dublin.

The unions said that the EU Presidency will place the Government at the helm of negotiations on public procurement reform.

“SIPTU is calling on the Government to ensure Ireland’s first National Public Procurement Strategy, currently being developed by the Office of Government Procurement, includes strong protections for workers and puts collective bargaining and fair employment standards at the heart of how public contracts are awarded,” said SIPTU Services Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane.

“Public procurement policy has a direct impact on the wages, conditions and job security of thousands of workers in essential contract services,” Mr O’Kane said.

“Too often, contracts are awarded based on lowest cost, with little regard for the workers delivering these vital services.”

UNI Europa Head of Property Services Michala Lafferty said the upcoming revision of procurement rules is an opportunity for EU leaders to make a real difference in the lives of workers amid the current cost-of-living crisis.

“It is the most effective tool to promote collective bargaining so that workers get a real say, fair pay and good conditions,” Ms Lafferty said.