Mandate’s core demands in General Election 2024

Tuesday 12 November 2024

Workers’ Rights

Mandate is demanding the full implementation of the EU Minimum Wage Directive in the spirit it was drafted. This means affording all workers the right to collectively bargain through a trade union of their choice. We are also demanding new protections for trade union activists who experience union busting practices, as laid out in the Respect At Work campaign. This includes:

The Right to Protection

No one should be punished for organising for better pay and conditions at work.

We want employee representatives protected in law when they stand up for themselves or their colleagues – and an end to victimisation.

The Right to Access a Trade Union

Everyone should be able to access information about their rights at work through a trade union.

Ignorance isn’t bliss – and employers shouldn’t be able to keep you in the dark about your entitlements or how to organise for better.

The Right to Discussion

Everyone should have the right to discuss their terms and conditions with their colleagues.

Too many employers are trying to ban these discussions through draconian contracts – it’s time to end these gag clauses.”

Mandate is demanding the end of the discriminatory sub-minimum wage rates which exploit young workers. Despite a recommendation from the Low Pay Commission, the Irish government has refused to adopt this necessary change.

Mandate is demanding amendments to legislation to allow part time workers access to full time hours when requested, as provided for under the EU Part Time Workers’ Directive.

Mandate is demanding legislation or a statutory instrument to allow the introduction of part-time to full-time ratios in retail.

Mandate is demanding that the Government legislate for it to be a specific offence to abuse or assault retail and bar workers.

Housing

Mandate is demanding the full implementation of the demands of the Raise the Roof campaign, including enhanced funding for public, affordable and cost rental units. Ireland has never had as many homeless, nor had as many in housing stress. The inadequate action from Government has created a chaotic housing system, with negative and detrimental impacts for hundreds of thousands who cannot access affordable housing.

Healthcare

Mandate is demanding the full implementation of Sláintecare, which, as the Minister for Health stated as its goal in 2021, “to introduce a universal health and social care system where everyone has equitable access to services based on need, and not ability to pay.” Our healthcare system is crumbling and we regularly see preventable deaths due to badly managed resources. Mandate members need a government that is prepared to take on vested interests in order to ensure an equitable system that meets the needs of workers.

Education

Trade Unions are a force for progress in Ireland, and always have been. Employers have gradually removed supports for trade union activists to engage in education and training. Mandate is demanding legislation to enable trade union activists to avail of appropriate paid release for education and representation purposes.

Climate Action

Mandate is demanding State investment in renewable energy and the ending of Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels. Our members are young and want to have a future on this planet. This requires any incoming government to genuinely tackle the climate emergency while protecting the incomes and living standards of our most vulnerable people.

International & Palestine

In January 2024 the International Court of Justice (ICJ) said it is plausible that Israel’s actions in Gaza Strip could amount to genocide. In July 2024 the ICJ declared that Israel’s occupation of the Gaza strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is unlawful. Despite these rulings, Ireland still has taken no action to prevent genocide from occurring nor has it taken measures to ensure goods and services from illegal settlements are prevented from entering Ireland.

Mandate is demanding the full implantation of the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB) and the immediate cessation of the US military in Shannon. To not implement these basic measures would make Ireland complicit with Israel’s crimes.

Mandate is also demanding Ireland maintains its status as a neutral country.