Wicklow T.D. Says Employment Minister Failing To Address Row Over Worker's Tips

The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social protection Regina Doherty has been accused of bringing forward a bill, aimed at resolving the ongoing row over who owns tips in the hospitality sector, that will ensure business owners retain the gratuity..

Speaking after a meeting yesterday of the joint Committee on Employment Affairs, Sinn Féin TD John Brady and his party’s Senator Paul Gavan say the bill is a diversion and won’t give a right to tips for workers.

Deputy Brady says it doesn’t touch the issue of the service charge.

Yesterday the Restaurants’ Association and the Hotels Federation told the Oireachtas committee that workers have no right to the service charge which they said is a contract between themselves and their customers, to cover business expenses.

Deputy Brady says the Minister’s Bill plays into that belief.