The EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages requires member states where the collective bargaining rate is less than a threshold of 80 per cent — which currently includes a majority of EU member states, including Ireland — to establish an action plan to promote collective bargaining by the end of 2025. 

A public consultation launched yesterday by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment is seeking to obtain the views of interested stakeholders across the wider enterprise and employment sectors on the content of Ireland’s forthcoming action plan on collective bargaining. 

Enterprise, tourism and employment minister Peter Burke said: “The programme for government contains the commitment to finalise an action plan on the promotion of collective bargaining by the end of 2025. I am strongly committed to working towards this with our social partners.

“It is intended that this consultation process will help guide us on the proposals which may be included in the action plan. I hope that there will be a strong response from a wide variety of stakeholders, and I would encourage all interested parties to engage with the consultation.

“We want to ensure all workers receive fair wages and decent terms and conditions.

“A strong and well-functioning collective bargaining system is an important element in the economy to support and promote fair wages, particularly in low paid sectors. Collectively bargained agreements also play a positive role in increasing productivity for businesses and promote the protection of industrial harmony, which is critical to our economy.

“I hope that Ireland’s action plan will be instrumental in promoting collective bargaining and raising Ireland’s collective bargaining rates.”

Alan Dillon, minister of state for small businesses and retail, added: “I fully recognise the importance of consultation and want to make the process of finalising an action plan on the promotion of collective bargaining as open and transparent as possible by allowing participation from members of the public and interested stakeholders.  

“We hope that when Ireland’s action plan is published, it will promote collective bargaining and increase Ireland’s collective bargaining rates.”

The public consultation will run for four weeks until 5pm on Monday 12 May 2025.