Industry and Employment Correspondent
Penalties for employers who intentionally misclassify workers as self-employed, resulting in the loss of PRSI and employment rights entitlements, should be explored by the Department of Social Protection, according to a draft Oireachtas Committee report.
The confidential report also recommends exclusion of such employers from government public procurement contracts, targeted inspections, and anti-victimisation legislation for workers caught up in so-called bogus self-employment .
The Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community, Rural Development and the Islands has been investigating the prevalence of this phenomenon, where employers deliberately misclassify employees as self-employed contractors.
This generates significant PRSI savings for the employer, but adverse consequences for workers.
Violence flared up in Belfast again on Thursday night as youths hurled petrol bombs at police officers
Riot police on the republican side of the divided city were pelted with projectiles
Stones and fireworks were thrown at police by gangs of youths gathered on the nationalist Springfield Road
It comes after Unionist thugs hijacked and firebombed a bus during the riots last night
Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis is flying in to speak to Arlene Foster and Michelle O Neill
The PSNI said on Thursday 55 of its officers had been injured across several nights of disorder in the country
A number of drivers gathered in the grounds of City Hall on Thursday lunchtime.
Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) assistant general secretary Owen Reidy said it was a demonstration on behalf of the entire trade union movement to support the driver, who has been left shaken by the incident.
Images captured by Unite members from today s walkout and rally of hundreds of Translink workers following last night s attack on public transport services pic.twitter.com/e7RMB3VECO
“Theirs is an act of generosity towards their fellow bus driver who was shockingly attacked last evening and towards the brave police officers and journalists who were also assaulted while doing their job and serving the community,” he said.
Belfast riots LIVE: Updates as Executive and PSNI issue statements on recent violence
They follow disorder at the junction of Lanark Way and the Shankill Road
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Play now The NI Executive met on Thursday morning for an emergency meeting following rioting in Belfast. On Wednesday night a hijacked bus was set alight at the junction of Lanark Way and the Shankill Road following a protest, with crowds gathering there and at West Circular Road at its junction with the Springfield Road.
A number of tyres and bins were set on fire near the interface gates which were later set alight. Police were also attacked with petrol bombs and other objects being thrown over the peace wall and a car reportedly rammed the interface gates.
Rioters stopped Metro bus and ordered driver and passengers to get out before torching it The morning after a bus was hijacked and burned out on the Shankill Road. Picture by Mal McCann
Rival groups clash at the interface on Lanark Way in west Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann
THE driver of a Metro bus hijacked and set alight by rioters in west Belfast was ordered off the bus, along with his passengers, before it was petrol-bombed.
The double-decker 11B bus, which operates along the Shankill Road, was hijacked and torched at the junction of Lanark Way and the Shankill at around 7.20pm on Wednesday.