16 December 2016
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Today marks the fifth anniversary of when the Vita Cortex workers began their occupation, beginning a journey that wouldn’t end until late May of the following year.
Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has stated that the lack of protections that led to the occupation has still yet to be resolved today.
The Cork South Central TD said:
“Despite the ill-treatment of the workers, any many promises from prominent politicians at the time, there has still not been legislation brought forward to prevent situations like that of the Vita Cortex Workers from happening again.
“In 2011 and 2012, workers from Vita Cortex in Cork City endured a sit in lasting 161 days, simply to secure the redundancy entitlements that had been agreed to.
“Unfortunately, workers having to sit in to secure basic statutory rights and redundancy that they were entitled to was a hallmark of industrial relations during the term of the last Dáil.
“Workers upon being made redundant do not have adequate protections, and I would urge the Minister to act on this. The German model of redundancy with payments approximate to pay and complemented by training is worth considering.
“The lack of action on this issue is once again indicative that the Government, past and present, is indicative of their attitude towards the rights of workers, and the prioritising of big businesses.
“The relevant Ministers must act accordingly to bring legislation before the house that deals with this issue, and I’m of the belief that should be done early in the New Year.”
