After the monthslong demand for the recognition of healthcare workers by unions, the government has finally agreed to offer them extra leave and non-taxable vouchers for their work during the pandemic. The news comes after Fórsa, the Irish Nurses and Midwives’ Organisation and Siptu wrote a letter to Taoiseach Micheal Martin about the issue and the need for his intervention.
As per the government sources, not only healthcare workers, every public sector workers will get bonuses for their hard work during Covid pandemic. Extra leaves and non-taxable vouchers are in active consideration, The Irish Times reports.
Last week a discussion between the unions and the Health Service Executive (HSE) at Workplace Relations Commission had ended without reaching any agreement on bonuses and the unions had later said that they would be approaching Labour Court regarding the matter. The HSE’s stand was that the government has the authority to decide on things in this matter.
The UK, Northern Ireland healthcare workers have already received extra payment during the pandemic and the unions had said it was really frustrating that the HSE here showing negligence towards the workers’ sufferings.