A formal complaint has been lodged with the European Commission over the Government's decision to defer legislation on parental leave for working parents. Workers with children aged up to eight can be granted up to three months' leave from June 3rd, but the Government has been granted a six-month derogation by the Commission.
The complaint was lodged by the general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Mr Peter Cassells, who wrote to the European Commissioner for Social Affairs, Mr Padraig Flynn, earlier this week expressing his concern. The ICTU is also seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr O'Donoghue, to discuss the deferment, which is a breach of Partnership 2000.
Under the national agreement the Government undertook to introduce parental leave by June 1998. In a strongly worded letter to Mr Flynn, Mr Cassells points out that the Government is now in breach of its commitments. He also expresses concern that the Commission granted the six-month derogation without notifying the social partners in Ireland.
"It seems extraordinary that the Commission should accede to such a request without ascertaining the views of the social partners, or at least requesting the Government itself to consult with the social partners on the need for such a postponement," Mr Cassells says.
The ICTU's deputy general secretary, Ms Patricia O'Donovan, said Congress was also concerned that the Government would adopt a minimalist approach to the directive, applying parental leave only to working parents with children under two years of age.
It also wants social welfare payments for parents, through an arrangement similar to that already operating for maternity leave, so that workers on low incomes can avail of it.
A spokesman for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform said yesterday that legislation was at an advanced stage. It was hoped to have it passed during the current Dail session. He refused to comment on reports that the Government might alter the eligibility level to parents with children aged up to five.
The Government sought the derogation because of its heavy legislative programme. A spokeswoman for Mr Flynn said yesterday that, while the Commissioner was disappointed at the request, his advice was that the Government was within its rights.