New laws governing the practice of tipping to hospitality workers came into force last week (1^st December), providing workers with a legal entitlement to receive tips and gratuities paid in electronic form.

The new the Payment of Wages Act was welcomed by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). General secretary Owen Reidy said the legislation will give workers clearer rights around the issue of tips, and give more clarity for customers, particularly those paying electronically.

He added: “This has been an important campaign waged by workers in the sector and unions. The most significant benefit to workers in the hospitality sector, and indeed all sectors of the economy, is the right to collective bargaining.

“We look forward to the transposition of the EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages, combined with legislation for the report of the high-level working group on collective bargaining, which will address this crucial issue,” he said.  

Clem Shevlin, a spokesperson for ONE Galway, the group that has campaigned on the issue since 2018, said some concerns remain about arrangements for cash tips, but that service charges are returned to workers in full, which has been welcomed by workers and unions alike.

He added: "We'd encourage customers to be vigilant during the Christmas period, to check their bills, and ask their server where the tips and charges go.

“The tipping law shouldn't be the end of improvements for the hospitality sector. For the lowest-paid workers in our economy, there is a lot more which can be done, starting with a living wage,” he said.

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