Thursday (30th March) will see the inaugural meeting of the new Worker and Employer Advisory Committee established by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (“The Commission”) to advise the Commission on issues relation to human rights and equality in the workplace, and in service provision.
The Advisory Committee which is made up of worker and employer representatives nominated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and by the Irish Business and Employers’ Confederation (IBEC) will advise the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in particular on issues set out within the Commission’s Strategy Statement 2016-2018, goals four and five, on fighting discrimination and vindicating rights, and establishing a strong collaboration with workers and employers groups to drive equality and human rights.
The Worker and Employer Advisory Committee has been established in line with the provisions of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014, which provides that “for the purpose of establishing and maintaining effective co-operation with representatives of relevant agencies and civil society” the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission may appoint advisory committees, to assist and advise it on matters relating to its functions.
The Workers and Employer Advisory Committee will interact with the Commission on:
- Employment equality and workplace issues;
- Equal status in service provision;
- Human rights in the workplace and service provision;
- Diversity and interculturalism,
- Such other matters as are referred to it by the Commission.
Emily Logan Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission stated:
“The Worker and Employer Advisory Committee will bring together a range of skills and expertise to support Commission’s strategic activity, and will assist and advise the Commission, adding significant value to our work on issues of human rights and equality in the workplace and in service provision.”
ENDS/
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Notes to editor:
Worker and Employer Advisory Committee
Section 18 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014 provides that “for the purpose of establishing and maintaining effective co-operation with representatives of relevant agencies and civil society” the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission may appoint Advisory Committees, as it thinks fit, to assist and advise it on matters relating to its functions.
The Commission’s Strategy Statement 2016-2018 in Goal 4 contains its commitment to fighting discrimination and vindicating rights, especially those of the least advantaged, and to establishing a strong collaboration with workers and employer groups to drive equality and human rights. Goal 5 commits the Commission to positive interventions to enhance public recognition of diversity and intercultural understanding.
To this end the Commission has established a Worker and Employer Advisory Committee, with membership as follows:
Presiding Member
Kieran Rose – Commission Member, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.
Vice Presiding Member
Orlagh O’Farrell – Commission Member, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
IBEC
- Kara McGann, Senior Labour Market Policy Executive, IBEC
- Gillian Cerrecchia, Solicitor, IBEC
- Norman Harte, Equality and Diversity Officer, Iarnród Éireann
- Brian Callanan, Former Director, IBEC
ICTU
- Patricia King, General Secretary, ICTU
- David Joyce, Equality Officer, ICTU
- Séamus Dooley, General Secretary, National Union of Journalists (NUJ)
- Deirdre O’Connor, Senior Official, Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO)
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission was set up on 1 November 2014 as an independent public body to protect and promote human rights and equality in Ireland and build a culture of respect for human rights, equality and intercultural understanding in the State.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014 sets out the functions of the Commission, i.e. to ensure that:
- there is respect for, and protection of, everyone’s human rights;
- there is respect for the dignity and worth of each person;
- a person’s ability to achieve their potential is not limited by prejudice, discrimination, or neglect;
- everyone has a fair and equal opportunity to take part in the economic, political, social or cultural life of the State; and
- people respect each other, respect equality and human rights, and understand the value of diversity within society
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is Ireland’s national human rights institution and is recognised as such by the United Nations. The Commission is also Ireland’s national equality body for the purpose of a range of EU anti-discrimination measures.