COVID-19, Corporate Social Responsibility
Union criticises COVID-19 bonus plans
While welcoming the proposal to pay care staff a bonus for their work in the fight against COVID-19, the ver.di services union warns that current plans could exclude some workers who were exposed to high levels of stress during the pandemic. The union says that it is appropriate for the Ministry of Health to set rules for how the bonus is distributed to avoid variations in payment across different employers. However, there is a risk that some caregivers will lose out along with large groups of workers in the emergency services, psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation clinics and in disability
New report on OSH risks echoes EPSU demands to protect workers from psychosocial risks in the health and social care sector
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work recently published a study, examining the main occupational safety and health (OSH) risks for human health and social work sector in Europe.
COVID bonus and reduced working hours
Public service trade unions Fórsa, SIPTU and INMO have welcomed the decision to pay a €1000 tax-free bonus to all those who worked in clinical, COVID-exposed environments and in a separate development to reduce working time for public service workers to pre-austerity levels. From 1 July this year public servants working full-time will return to the 35-hour week that applied before 2013 when austerity measures were introduced in response to the 2008-09 economic and financial crisis. This decision is also seen as partly in recognition of the efforts made during the pandemic. The government has
Confederation calls national action day on health
The ADEDY civil service federation and its member organisations representing health workers have called a day of action on health and half-day work stoppage for 26 January. The main demands are for an increase in funding for the health service, an increase in recruitment of permanent staff and transfer of existing staff on temporary contracts to permanent status. The confederation also wants action to tackle the COVID pandemic and calls for deaths of health workers from COVID to be recognised as an accident at work.
Special agreement covers overtime and pay for municipal workers
The continuing demands imposed by the COVID pandemic are being addressed by municipal trade unions and employers through a new agreement setting out rules on overtime. The agreement will be applied locally if agreed between the local union and employer and provides for higher overtime rates and limits on overtime hours. Overtime rates are increased to 200% on normal days and 300% on weekends and holidays. The rates also apply to part-time workers above 20 hours a week. The agreement sets a range of daily, weekly and monthly limits to overtime hours.