Unions consulted on domestic violence leave
by Mehak Dugal
 

The equality minister has invited the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) to discuss proposals for the introduction of domestic violence leave.

 

Speaking at an ICTU briefing last week, Roderic O’Gorman said he was also seeking the views of employers on the potential impact of the initiative, so that it could be implemented in ways that minimise any potentially negative impacts on business.

 

The minister told the ICTU briefing that there was an epidemic of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland, and that the Covid-19 emergency had created specific risks for its victims.

 

He pledged that legislative proposals for a statutory entitlement to paid domestic violence leave would be brought forward by the end of this year.

 

The proposed legislation will include “an examination of domestic violence leave at international level, the identification of best practice including the gaps in that best practice, and the development of a suitable model for rollout in Ireland,” he said.

 

The ICTU session also heard from New Zealand Green Party MP Jan Logie, who was the driving force behind the introduction of paid domestic violence leave there. She said it was important to extend the legislation to those caring for affected children, and to ensure protections against discrimination on the grounds of being victims.

 

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to undertake an investigation into paid leave and support for victims, and commits to a statutory entitlement or paid domestic violence leave to be introduced by end of this year.

 

See the full recording of the ICTU webinar HERE.

 

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