The equality committee is to discuss a Bill to introduce paid work leave for victims of domestic violence.
The legislation, put forward by Sinn Féin’s Louise O’Reilly, would give domestic violence survivors a statutory entitlement to ten days paid leave.
The Organisation of Working Time (Domestic Violence Leave) Bill is due to go before the equality committee on Tuesday.
Ms O’Reilly, Sinn Féin’s spokeswoman on workers’ rights, said the legislation was developed following consultation with people working within the domestic violence sector, as well as victims.
The Government must seize this important opportunity and introduce paid leave for domestic violence. Enough is enough.
Women can’t wait for the government to take action on gender-based violence. The time for political leadership is now. @MaryLouMcDonald @loreillysf pic.twitter.com/048Jz7oniFAdvertisement— Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) January 23, 2022
“This piece of legislation is important because domestic violence is not just an equality issue,” Ms O’Reilly said.
“It is a societal issue, but it is also a workers’ rights issue and we believe that an amendment to the Organisation of Working Time Act is the most appropriate way because that puts this leave with other statutory leave.
“There are private companies and state-backed organisations already well ahead on this.
“We see NUI Galway have introduced it, Vodafone have introduced it, Danske Bank have introduced it, and we know that the other universities are talking about bringing in paid leave for domestic violence this year.
“But we have the view now that women cannot wait any longer.
“It’s only a week ago we had statements in the Dáil following the very tragic killing of Ashling Murphy. We all collectively said enough is enough and we need firm action.”
Plans by the Government to introduce paid domestic violence leave is to come before the Cabinet next month.
The plans were contained in the Programme for Government.
However, Ms O’Reilly said it could be a “long time” before the Government’s legislation is complete.
“They haven’t produced the heads of bill,” she added.
“We have legislation that is ready to go now. We believe that the women of Ireland have waited long enough, that victims of gender-based violence have waited long enough.
“Now is the time to bring this legislation through.
“It needs to move quickly to the next stage and we want to see this as law, so that there is an entitlement for victims and survivors to a statutory base domestic violence leave.”
