The Irish government has launched a consultation on retired workers’ access to industrial relations mechanisms for pensions related issues.

The consultation, launched by the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD, will run until Friday 22 April 2022.

English announced the launch of the public consultation to seek the views of interested parties on a proposal for the introduction of a statutory right for retired persons to be included in collective trade disputes, and how to balance the proposed new rights for retired persons with the current rights and interests of workers and employers who engage in the bargaining process.

“I welcome this public consultation process as it is important to ensure that we get the views of all stakeholders and that the voices of retired workers, in particular, are heard on this issue. I would, especially welcome comments and suggestions on any new or enhanced methods of consultation or alternative ways in which we might assist retired workers in engaging on pension-related issues. The outcome of this consultation process will help feed into the government’s policy response," English said.

The proposals were first made in a private members bill and the consultation considers whether giving retired workers statutory rights in trade disputes will provide existing protections for retired persons including those provided by the Pensions Authority, the Financial Services and the Pensions Ombudsman.

It also considers the effectiveness of the existing timeframe which already allows a retired person access to the industrial relations bodies in a period of six-months post-retirement for matters arising pre-retirement and whether there is the potential for new or enhanced methods of consultation through the introduction of alternative systems, networks or fora which might assist retired workers in engaging more fully on pension-related issues.

In addition, stakeholders are asked for their thoughts on whether the views of retired workers could be balanced with those of workers and employers engaged in negotiations to reach collectively bargained agreements. They are also asked to consider how, in the event that a majority of retired workers were opposed to pension changes proposed as part of a collectively bargained pay agreement, but a majority of workers wished to accept, these competing positions could be reasonably resolved within the context of the current industrial relations landscape and legislative provisions.

The government intends to review submissions by mid-May with further direct stakeholder engagement, including with representative organisations. The outcome of the consultation will feed into the government’s response to the proposals.

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