The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPER) has issued a circular bringing clarity to annual leave issues in the Civil Service.

A recent Circular sets out some reforms to the annual leave system, including:

• Clear guidance around leave carry-forward
• Clear guidance on the calculation of annual leave for full and part time workers
• Definitions on the boundaries between sick leave and annual leave
• Guidance on the accrual of annual leave for workers on extended sick leave
• Introduction of ‘anticipated’ annual leave allowing a worker to apply to take up to two days of next year’s leave in advance to deal with unanticipated needs.

The Circular, while applicable to annual leave, does not extend to leave accrued as time off in lieu (TOIL). This continues to be governed by the overtime arrangements in the civil service.

Fórsa official Seán Carabini said that a revision of the 2003 Circular has been needed for some time.

“This new circular brings clarity to a number of important areas, including for example how sick leave accrues when a worker is on long term sick leave. Additionally, the formalisation of the ‘Anticipation of Annual Leave’ in section 8 of the Circular, allowing someone who has exhausted their annual leave to apply to ‘borrow up to two days from next year’s allowance is a good thing, and a good win for unions,” he said.

Fórsa has held a general meeting with members in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, working in Cork Laboratories, over a proposed move of the premises.

Cork Laboratories currently operate at a site on Model Farm Road, but the proposed move would see members working at the lab, relocate to a site in Mallow.

Fórsa official Des Fagan said members have many concerns about the relocation.

“Members raised concerns that the distance to the new site will be far too long a commute, as well as issues related to promotional opportunities and what is expected of them in any such relocation,” he said.

“While the Department has proposed a building completion date of sometime in 2028 in Mallow, experience shows that the best laid plans of government can always be derailed by events at home and internationally,” he continued.

Fórsa has said that the high number of vacant positions in meat processing plants has now become a difficulty for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, the producers and union members working in the plants.

Fórsa official Des Fagan said the acute shortages are arising from the near full employment market.

“Members believe that the fault lies in the low starting salary and the heavy industrial nature of the work as workers look for better pay and conditions elsewhere in the economy,” he said.

At their most recent meeting, the Branch Executive Committee discussed what measures can be taken to persuade the Department to put greater effort into the recruitment of staff in meat plants, to include better conditions including pay.

“They are supportive of efforts by the Meat Group members that will place the pressure back on the department as a solution is sought,” said Des.

Reducing tax rates in the upcoming budget would be inappropriate and irresponsible, according to Fórsa General Secretary, Kevin Callinan.

Kevin was speaking at a report launch event by the independent think-tank Tasc. The report, titled "The State We Are In: Inequality in Ireland 2023," suggests that there has been an increase in inequality in Ireland from 2020 to 2021.

In his speech he highlighted the consensus that cutting taxes would be inappropriate, especially with the risks associated with corporate tax revenue as distinct from an indexation of tax bands. He argued that reducing taxation would be irresponsible as the State requires more resources to address pressing issues such as housing and public services.

“Advocating for tax cuts as the solution to the Cost-of-Living crisis in a country with a rapidly growing population and obvious deficits in public services is dishonest. We urgently need to allocate funds towards social issues like housing and childcare. These immediate issues must be addressed and take priority over any tax cuts,” said the union chief.

"Irish citizens should have the expectation of improving living standards in an economy with robust fiscal revenues and profitable companies. We need EU levels of collective pay bargaining not tax cuts,” said Kevin.  

The report, written by Rob Sweeney, backed Kevin Callinan’s points recommending that the Government resist pressure for tax cuts and instead invest in the continued support for households and improved provision of services such as childcare, which act as a barrier to employment.

Fórsa activists came together last Thursday (22nd June) to attend the launch of the Branch Supports pilot programme.

The launch provided branches with useful tools to support branches and activists to build and grow their branches.

The newly developed materials include a Workplace Rep Charter, Branch Toolkit and Branch Guidebook, providing practical resources for branches to use as part of their branch activities and to assist in engaging, on a wider level, union members about becoming more involved in their union or in communicating to wider union members.

Fórsa official Lisa Connell said the pilot has been developed by branches for branches.

“We have worked hard with branches, and branches have told us what they need. This pilot is about putting these resources into practice and developing them so that our activists feel empowered by these supports,” she said.

Fórsa official Catherine Keogh praised the work of the branches to date.

“This pilot is member led. Our branches have been truly excellent, they have engaged with us throughout this process and have committed to working with us to develop these resources further in line with Fórsa’s Strategic Plan. We’re working closely with our activists to fine tune these materials and I’m so excited to see what’s to come for our branches,” she said.

Fórsa has welcomed the announcement that Government is to disregard historical convictions for the committing of sexual acts between consenting men.

The new measures were announced at a meeting with LGBTQI+ groups in Government Buildings last week to coincide with Pride, and comes following a long fought battle by LGBTQI+ activists.

Five years ago, the Government made a formal apology to gay men who were criminalised for their sexual orientation, and a working group consisting of representatives from the Department of Justice, An Garda Síochána, the Office of the Attorney General, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) and individuals from the LGBTQI+ community with expertise in this area was established to examine how this could be progressed.

Subsequently, the Department of Justice published the Working Group Progress Report, which contained a number of recommendations, including the need for targeted public consultation for affected persons and representative groups.

LGBTQI+ activist and Fórsa member Kieran Rose formed part of the Department's working group to inform policy in this area. Kieran spoke on the matter at the union’s equality seminar last November, during which he discussed the role of trade unions in lifting a “beleaguered minority” in the 1980’s.

“This was a time where the media coverage of passing of the LGPSU and ICTU motions was a very crucial milestone,” he said.

Fórsa National Secretary and Equality Officer Ashley Connolly said the progress “marks a milestone” for those impacted by the archaic and unjust law.

“While this will not erase the wrong that was done, or undo the hurt inflicted on people who were discriminated against for simply being themselves, this new Government policy will work to address the harm done to generations of gay and bisexual men," she said.

Ashley paid tribute to her former comrade Kieran Rose for his tireless work for equality.

“Kieran has worked tirelessly and selflessly for decades, campaigning for equality and justice, and supporting the LGBTQI+ community. Society is all the better for his activism,” she said.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Fórsa is urging members to back a solidarity protest in support of Cork library workers next Friday, 7^th July, at 12.30pm outside Cork City Library and marching to Cork City Hall at 1pm. 

Over the last number of months Fórsa members have been subjected to protesters entering libraries, harassing library workers, and attempting to remove books they deem to be “inappropriate”.

Head of Local Authorities Richy Carrothers said that improved protections for library staff against the growing threat of harassment and intimidation by anti-LGBTQ+ protesters must be implemented as a matter of urgency.

“Our members are at risk in their place of work. We have asked local authorities undertake an immediate health and safe risk assessment of public libraries, and the threat posed by such protesters at libraries. Harassment must not be tolerated and Cork City Council must act to discharge their responsibilities as an employer under health and safety legislation,” he said.

Richy supported the public library workers, saying “they should be applauded - not abused”. 

“We proudly represent hardworking library staff across Ireland. They do integral work, including creating inclusive communities. We support our dedicated members and won't accept any intimidation of our members in their workplaces!

“Libraries represent community hubs for social integration, serving as centres of cultural, educational, and academic learning, and must be places free from harassment and intimidation for both staff and library users. It’s important that we act in solidarity to our fellow members and show these groups that harassment will not be tolerated,” he said.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Fórsa has made a number of recommendations in its latest submission on a Code of Practice on the “Right to Request Remote Working.”

The union recently made an official submission to the Workplace Relations Commission’s (WRC) public consultation relating to the right to request remote work for employees.

In the submission, Fórsa has called for the development of a clear and objective criteria for evaluating remote working requests, and for providing transparency and consistency in decision-making.

The union has also called for a mechanism to be embedded in the code that requires employers to respond to remote working requests within four weeks, ensuring that employees receive a prompt and fair assessment of their requests.

Fórsa has also said employees must be able to appeal a decision with the WRC in cases where the employer has not given fair consideration to a request in line with the Code of Practice or is exacting punitive or discriminatory measures on an employee who requests or participates in remote work.

The union says the right to request remote work is advantageous for Ireland as it enables a more flexible and adaptable workforce.

“It promotes work-life balance, allowing employees to better manage personal and professional commitments.

“Remote work can boost productivity by reducing commuting time and providing a conducive environment for focused work. It also expands employment opportunities, attracting talent from diverse locations and facilitating regional development. Ultimately, the right to request remote work enhances well-being, productivity, and the competitiveness of Ireland's workforce and economy,” said the union’s official submission to the public consultation,” it said.

In Ireland, nearly one in four workers began regularly working remote during the pandemic, fundamentally changing their work-life balance, job satisfaction, productivity levels, and commute times.

An evaluation on the impacts of remote working in May of 2022 published by the Department Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, concluded that the general benefits of remote working to employees and employers were likely to outstrip the costs.

Additionally, in a study conducted by Amarách Research for Fórsa in 2020, 86% of respondents were found to be in favour of flexible working arrangements. Respondents cited improved work-life balance, reduced commuting time, and increased work flexibility as the advantages.

Half of the respondents also stated that they felt more productive working from home.

You can read the full submission and list of recommendations here.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

The event was hosted by Global Campaigns Officer for Four Day Week Global, Hazel Gavigan and Chair of Four Day Week Ireland, Kevin Donoghue.

Speaking after the event Hazel said that it’s important for Governments to understand the initiative:

“We’re delighted to be here today in Leinster House speaking to TD’s and senators about the learnings that we’ve gathered so far with the hope of implementing it on a wider scale across Ireland. The results are overwhelmingly positive, with great well-being and health benefits, business productivity, success outcomes and additionally positive environmental aspects.”

Fórsa’s Director of Campaigns, Kevin Donoghue thanked all the senators and TD’s that attended the presentation and encouraged them to spread the message across Leinster House:

“The Irish campaign for a four-day week is beginning to gather steam. We need TD’s and senators to spread the overwhelmingly positive research that has not only occurred in Ireland but across the globe. It is essential we have the backing of the decision makers in Leinster House, and we will continue to promote our campaign until it is implemented.”

Fórsa is part of the Four-Day-Week International coalition of businesses, trade unions, environmentalists, academics, and NGOs established to campaign for shorter working time in all sectors of the economy.

The initiative is the Irish leg of an international campaign to establish a four-day week without reductions in pay or productivity. Most recently, Fórsa has been encouraging the Government to trial the four-day week within the public sector.

Over sixty Fórsa activists attended the union’s annual campaign summer school earlier this week, in an event aimed to equip members with the tools they need to lead local campaigns.

The two-day summer school offered opportunities to discuss and debate some of the pressing issues of interest to Fórsa activists across a range of economic, social, equality and environmental topics, while offering practical training and skills with a focus on real-life scenarios.

Activists heard from industry experts on topics including lobbying, research and media training, and developed their own campaigns based on their learnings.

Director of Campaigns Kevin Donoghue emphasised the importance of preparing members for real life campaigns and thanked them for their engagement.

“It was important that members came away from this school feeling equipped and empowered to plan and action campaigns and this week delivered that. It was all about learning the skills from our expert speakers and putting them into use. I’d like to thank our activists for their participation and engagement this week, it made for an excellent two days of collaborative learning,” he said.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

People who have periods or are going through menopause make up more than half of the population. Yet workplaces are not always set up to deal with the reality of what they go through, and it’s not often something that is openly talked about either!

But with some reasonable adjustments, all employees will be able to do their work to the best of their ability. With the #StopTheStigma campaign, we hope to get everyone talking as well and remove the taboo that continues to surround periods and menopause.

Fórsa’s menstrual and menopause policies campaign is about getting the best working conditions for our members, and about raising awareness in the wider community.

Check out this Resources Section for more information about what menstrual and menopause policies can include, a flyer for your workplace, a policy template, and for some handy tips as well.

We’re partnering with other trade unions, like the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Financial Services Union, SIPTU, UNITE, Irish National Teacher’s Organisation, and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, to #StoptheStigma and build an awareness campaign around menstrual and menopause policies.

This campaign includes surveys of our membership as well as the wider public on people’s experiences of periods and menopause in the workplaces. You can take our survey here! It takes just a few minutes, and it will make sure this campaign is about people’s real experiences.

We’re running awareness raising ads and media, and sending information to the 80,000+ membership of Fórsa on menstrual and menopause policies and campaigns. We’re getting the word out in every way we can.

Fórsa is also providing educational materials to workplaces and employers on what menstrual and menopausal workplace friendly policies are, and how to improve working life for more than half the population in Ireland. You can find a flyer and a blank policy template for your workplace here. 

We’re also directly advocating with your employers to bring in period and menopause friendly policies. This is through our industrial relations mechanisms, across the different sectors we represent: Education, Civil Service, Health and Welfare, Local Government and Local Services, Municipal and Services and Enterprises.

Fórsa had previously surveyed its members and found a shocking 70% of respondents had to take time off work as a direct result of their periods. In response to this, we have launched the #StopTheStigma campaign to begin conversations in workplaces about periods, menopause, and why they should no longer be taboo topics.

Other trade unions are finding the same results we did from surveying their members. Here is more of what our members had to say previously:

• 1 in 4 people had been diagnosed with a specific condition such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder and so many others. These can result in severe medical symptoms during menstruation, like heavy bleeding, crippling migraines, sudden hot flushes and extreme nausea. And these are just an extremely small number in a long list of symptoms.
• Almost 7 in 10 people were not comfortable talking about their period pains or menopausal symptoms with their manager
• Only 1% of workplaces currently have a menstrual welfare policy in place

As part of the #StoptheStigma campaign, the coalition is working to distribute the awareness materials within their memberships to educate workplaces on menstrual and menopausal symptoms.

Here are some periods and menopause workplace resources, so you and your employer can create policies and put in place supports:

• Download a free menstrual and menopausal policy template here for your organisation.
• Print and circulate this downloadable flyer to help spread awareness. You could leave it in the work kitchen or canteen, or bring it to your manager directly.

Further, here are some tips on speaking to managers and employers about the issue, using our periods and menopause workplace resources:

• Ask for a meeting about the policies, and send them the flyer and the template beforehand so they have some information to begin with
• Show them the Fórsa survey results to explain why it’s so important
• Let them know that with some reasonable adjustments, people will be less likely to need to use sick leave, will be more productive, and will know their workplace is an inclusive one that values their employee

You can also show your support for the campaign on Twitter! Take just 10 seconds to click here to tweet out a ready-made post.

As members of Fórsa, your workplace representative can talk to your employer for you. 

Visit our webpage here and find out more about the union’s work in the area.

Until we get talking about period and menopause welfare policies, nothing will change.

For more details on the survey and Fórsa's research contact Juliette Cooper at jcooper@forsa.ie

For more information on resources available and the campaign please contact Mehak Dugal at mdugal@forsa.ie

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Financial benefits

After 6 months in membership all members are entitled to the following:

• €5,000 personal accident cover and €5,000 critical illness
• Death benefit for you and your spouse. 
• €5,000 illness benefit if you're out of work for more than 12 months. Evacuation or repatriation expenses up to €250,000 for members deceased, seriously injured or ill abroad.

Every Fórsa member is also entitled to:

• • €5,000 personal accident cover and €5,000 critical illness 
  • Death benefit for you and your spouse*.
  • €5,000 illness benefit if you’re out of work for more than 12 months. 
  • Evacuation or repatriation expenses up to €250,000 for members deceased, seriously injured or ill abroad. 
  • Forsa members can also apply for:
  • Gaeltacht scholarships for your children. 
  • Industrial relations scholarships. 
  • Benevolent grants if you find yourself in financial distress

Fórsa has negotiated exclusive schemes for members with Cornmarket, including the salary protection scheme, now with a free online doctor service, the AVC scheme, alongside motor and home insurance.

Member only schemes have also been negotiated with Arachas, JLT, KennCo, and Marsh. Providers will give members advice on various financial products.

In addition to this, Fórsa members can now save 50% on their AA Roadside Rescue plan, through a new and exclusive union negotiated scheme.

Support services

Fórsa members can also avail of free counseling, legal advice and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, through the following helplines:

Legal help in bodily injury cases 0818 776644

Legal advice helpline 0818 776644

Confidential counselling helpline 1800 776655

Domestic assistance helpline 091 545928

Health and medical information service 0818 25 41 64

In addition, provisions have been made for a benevolent grant for members who are in financial distress. Gaeltacht scholarships are available for members who have school age children. Members can also avail of industrial relations scholarships.

Group Scheme

Another hidden gem is the group scheme. This operates on an “opt in” basis and there are huge savings to be made on everyday items. Members can access discounts from small businesses located near their place of work including restaurants, retailers, hairdressers and coffee shops.

The group scheme also operates a cashback system. The concept is simple; every time you shop online with one of the cashback partners they will reimburse a portion of what you spend. The money accumulates in your group scheme cashback account, which you can transfer to your bank account at any time.

Deputy General Secretary Matt Staunton explains just how important these schemes are for members. “All of the membership schemes are hugely beneficial. Fórsa has negotiated with a number of financial providers to give members the best options available. With the financial products, members will see discounts on what they are currently paying. This is of huge importance to our members, especially considering the cost of living crisis,” he said.

Matt also highlighted the benefits of the group scheme. “This is a real money saver and members can more than negate the cost of their union subscriptions through the savings and offers available.”

For more information on the full range of benefits visit the Fórsa website. 

*Members can only claim death benefit for their spouse. The scheme does not extend to illness benefit on behalf of the spouse or partner. 

 There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

The next instalment of the Fórsa Skills Academy ‘Lunch and Learn’ series will take place today (Friday 30^th June) from 1pm – 2pm, focusing on the rise of the far right. Members interested in attending should register their interest here.

Dr Ciarán O’Connor, Senior Analyst with The Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) will deliver the hour-long virtual session. The ISD is an independent NGO that researches online hate, extremism, and disinformation. Ciarán specialises in researching and investigating right-wing extremist networks online and has been monitoring how far-right groups have been at the core of the recent anti-immigrant surge in Ireland. 

The ‘Lunch and Learn’ series aims to give members the knowledge to support them as a union member or representative whilst supplementing the broad range of training programmes currently being offered by Skills Academy. Members can catch up on previous sessions here. 

 There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Fórsa has welcomed the introduction of the national right for up to five days unpaid leave for medical care purposes which comes into effect next week.

The care responsibilities could be towards oneself, their family or dependants.

But Fórsa has said the alarmingly low rates of take-up of these forms of leave around the country comes down to the fact that it’s unpaid.

“We welcome this as one of many measures needed to achieve a better work and home life balance for Irish parents, guardians and carers. But we need to ensure that people will not be at a disadvantage financially if they choose to access this measure and the Government needs to explore the ways in which that can be done,” the union said.  

The new measures all form part of the Work Life Balance Act.

The work-life balance act will extend leave to workers who need to take time off to provide personal care or support to a relative.

The act also extends to the right to request flexible or constricted work hours, for those with caring responsibilities.

It also extends the current right to paid breastfeeding breaks from six months to two years, and extends existing maternity leave rights to transgender people who give birth.

The Department of Agrculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has committed to examining the issue of annual leave anomalies between the grades of Senior Laboratory Analysts and Laboratory Analyst, following Fórsa representations at the Department of Agriculture Departmental Council.

Fórsa official Des Fagan explained that a new annual leave Circular has been published that comprehensively lays out the rationale for the levels of leave afforded to all civil servants and professional and technical grades.

“This may be helpful in relation to the Agrilabs annual leave issues raised with DAFM,” he said.

Des explained that one of the main items in the Circular is the elimination of the three-year carryover of leave cycle. It states that all of the statutory annual leave i.e., 20 days must be taken in year one and the balance of leave left can be carried into year two.

“Carryover of annual leave was badly affected during the Covid pandemic, and the new system allows for carryover of one year’s leave from year one into year two,” he said.

Des warned that if the leave is not used in year two however it is forfeit.

“Cue the mass taking of annual leave once the Circular becomes known to staff, a measure that will already affect those Departments that cannot attract new staff,” he said. The Circular can be viewed here.

Fórsa’s National Executive Committee (NEC) have expressed deep concern at the recent events in RTÉ and fully endorsed the call by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on the board and senior management of the public service broadcaster to make the restoration of public trust a key priority.

Kevin Callinan, Fórsa General Secretary and President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, said this could only be achieved through a full explanation by management which clarifies completely who was responsible. 

“Public service broadcasting is vital to the functioning of a healthy democracy and the current crisis threatens to undermine trust and confidence in the organisation and puts at risk the reputation of the many staff who have had no involvement with this debacle and remain committed to the highest standards of public service,” said Mr. Callinan.

Fórsa supports the RTÉ Trade Union Group and shares the frustration of RTÉ workers who took pay cuts in the recent past to secure the future of the organisation while some in senior management were allegedly sanctioning side deals negotiated with an external third party. 

We welcome the review announced by Minister Catherine Martin into the culture within RTÉ, but urge that it be fully transparent and provide for the interests of RTÉ workers to be represented by their trade unions. Any review of the culture within the organisation must deal with issues raised by the TUG group and affiliated unions, including employment practices, so-called fee based ‘star contracts’ and the use of third-party agents.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Fórsa has made a donation to the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI), a national non-governmental organisation working to advance the rights of migrant workers and their families.

The donation was made through the Irelanders Club and the proceeds will go towards helping people at risk of exploitation, social exclusion, and discrimination.

MRCI is a national organisation working to advance the rights of migrant workers and their families who are at risk.

MRCI provides free, reliable and confidential information to thousands of people through their national Drop-In Centre on issues such as immigration, trafficking for labour exploitation, employment and housing.

The union has also recently made a big impact by supporting the Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation, a non-profit organisation created to raise awareness on issues pertaining to infertility and to provide grants for poor couples that require fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination.

This amazing organisation also provides psychological support to women to deal with pressures they face along their journey to conception including societal stigma. They also assist in feeding and clothing underprivileged children.

The foundation partners with reputable fertility clinics in Nigeria and with other donors to provide couples with the financial and material support they require during the treatment.

Fórsa official Olajide Odigan said the organisation does stellar work in raising awareness about infertility and the challenges associated with it.

“They work to stop the stigmatisation of couples dealing with infertility and to provide the spiritual, financial and psychological support they require and we at Fórsa are very proud to be able to contribute to this great cause.

This is all possible through the member’s subscriptions and it’s great to share the amazing impact that union subscriptions can make with the members,” said Olajide.

The donations to both the foundations were made though the Irelanders Club.

Fórsa’s Global Solidarity Autumn School will take place on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th November in Nerney’s Court, Dublin.

The school will provide a unique opportunity for interested members to discuss a range of international, trade union and human rights issues.

Delegates will hear about projects that Fórsa actively fund across the world, and it will also be an opportunity to hear about the union’s global solidarity work.

More information on the event will be circulated to branches in the coming weeks. In the meantime, members can contact internationalsolidarity@forsa.ie if they have queries.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.

Fórsa activists, members and staff took part in the World Refugee Day rally at the Garden of Remembrance on the 20th of June.

The union is one of the many organisations that joined forces with Le Chéile – a cross-sectoral alliance working together to challenge the far right in Ireland – and MASI (Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland) – a group formed by asylum seekers to campaign against Direct Provision and deportations – to stand in solidarity with refugees and to advocate that every person on this planet has a right to seek safety – whoever they are, wherever they come from and whenever they are forced to flee.

Each year on 20th June, the world celebrates the strength and courage of these people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.

Fórsa’s Director of Campaigns Kevin Donohoe thanked all those who made the journey to Dublin.

“Participation in this rally was an extremely important statement from the trade union movement that we stand together. Trade unions are for everyone, no matter who you are or where you come from. We will continue to fight alongside those seeking sanctuary from hunger, poverty, climate catastrophe and war and will support their right to be able to live with dignity, in peace, and free of harassment” he said.

Fórsa’s General Secretary Kevin Callinan has recently returned from Palestine as part of a delegation from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). 

The delegation also included Vice-President of ICTU  Phil Ní Sheaghdha, Executive Council member Patricia McKeown, and Assistant General Secretary Gerry Murphy.

This mission marked the first high-level visit by the ICTU to Palestine since 2007. Throughout their five-day trip, the delegation held meetings with Palestinian government representatives, trade union leaders, and non-governmental organisations in Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv.

They also visited hospitals, educational facilities, and the Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem. Unfortunately, they were unable to visit Gaza and the trip to Nablus was cancelled due to settler violence. Additionally, they met with the staff of the Representative Office of Ireland in Palestine, led by Don Sexton, and the Irish Ambassador to Israel, Kyle O'Sullivan.

Upon their return to Dublin, Kevin expressed concern about the accelerating growth of illegal Israeli settlements, which he deemed a violation of the Oslo Accords. The delegation also witnessed the eight-meter-high separation wall in the West Bank, which encroaches on Palestinian land in violation of peace agreements.

He also highlighted the need for Ireland to recognise the Palestinian state:

“All our delegates returned with concerns over just how these conditions continue to affect the people of Palestine and especially their children. If Ireland was to recognise the Palestinian state it would provide support and encouragement to its people who feel betrayed and isolated by the international community.

“Hope is scarce in Palestine, and we must play our part in increasing pressure on Israel to end the blatant violation of human rights. Israel must be held to account for its actions, and the ongoing refusal to abide by international law.”

ICTU is seeking an urgent meeting with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to discuss their findings, anticipating the Tánaiste's upcoming visit to the region.

There’s never been a better time to join a union, and it’s never been easier. Join Fórsa today.