The Irish Congress of Trade Unions on Monday (8th April), welcomed a commitment from the Minister for Social Protection to ratify an international convention on rights for Domestic Workers.

Minister Joan Burton told delegates at the International Labour Organisation's 9th European and Central Regional meeting in Oslo on Monday (8th April), that the Government would move to formally ratify the ILO’s Convention on Domestic Work and try to ensure ratification across the European Union. 

The Minister informed the ILO gathering that, as part of its presidency of the EU, Ireland would be “urging other EU Member States to ratify the ILO Domestic Workers Convention….we will be seeking a Council decision confirming that any legal impediments to ratification by member states have been removed at the level of the European Union.”

Her statement was warmly welcomed by Congress official Esther Lynch, a worker delegate at the ILO conference.

“This is a really good example of Ireland showing meaningful leadership, during the Presidency of the EU. The ratification of the Convention has the support of Congress and key NGOs, such as the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland, who have campaigned alongside unions to see that Domestic Workers get fair treatment and decent work

“We would urge the Minister to ensure that Ireland finalises the ratification process before the International Labour Organisation’s annual conference in June of this year,” Lynch said.