Our lack of proper terms and conditions means: uncertainty about our hours & our annual income; getting laid off during the holidays so having to sign on for social welfare payments; inconsistency in rates of pay from ETB to ETB; lower pay for post-2011 entrants; no opportunity for progression; no raise in pay after years of service and improved qualifications

Aramark is an American based corporation that operates Direct Provision centres for the State in Cork, Clare and Westmeath, and are also commercially involved in the prison system in the United States. Aramark currently runs a large number of food outlets on the campus such as: Cafe Allegro – University Concert Hall Eden Restaurant – Main Building Cafe Cube – Kemmy River Cafe – Engineering Building Cafe Verde – Health Science Red Raisins* – Main Building *(Chopped, Mexico Kitchen, Subway, Starbucks) UL awarded their catering contract to a corporation that is frequently criticised for its treatment of those in the asylum system and its profiteering off the misery of refugees and those incarcerated in the United States. This contract goes against the community spirit of UL, and the inclusive campus we all love. The University of Limerick is considered a University of Sanctuary for asylum seekers and refugees, offering 15 scholarships each year to residents living in direct provision.

They work

It constitutes legal age discrimination and is contrary to the concept of equal pay for equal work.

This affects every single person in this country from the cradle to the grave as a matter of urgency.

Construction sector is in decline. New entrants don't find the construction attractive as a career option. This decline will impact on productivity and impact negatively on the housing crisis. Improvement in pension conditions is important to reverse this sectors decline.

In order to retain skills and attract new entrants to the construction sector and avoid labour shortage caused by physical nature off construction work, a reduced pension time is needed as a basic benefit, otherwise it will impact on productivity, send the sector into decline and impact further on the housing crisis. Most construction workers start work as teenagers 10 years ahead of most sectors but, but only 1 in 5 make it to 65.

This is an opportunity to acknowledge the wrongs perpuated by our State and those to whom it sub-contracted its responsibilities.

Celebrate our female saint with a day off for all the amazing health workers and the rest of us!

While thousands in the public sector continue to rightfully stage protests and demand fair treatment, compensation for their collective efforts and hard work throughout the pandemic, and much deserved recognition, thousands in the private Security (Static Security Officers, Patrol Drivers, Camera Operators, Retail Officers, Door Guards) remain vastly under- appreciated and unrecognised. At the height of the pandemic employers were quick to send out official letters explaining how all of their security officers and employees were in fact essential front line staff. Yet aside from making sure workers reported for duty unimpeded by government sanctioned lock downs, security officers have not been allotted the respect and treatment befitting of a front line worker, despite having continued to work uninterrupted through the Covid pandemic. Those of us in the security sector have not had a raise in nearly three years. We continue to work erratic hours, long shifts, and for low wages. Dealing directly with the public, guarding businesses, protecting staff, enduring abuse and lawlessness, monitoring premises and patrolling properties, ceasingly since March (2020). Just as health care workers, Garda, and retail workers have diligently worked. The difference being, whereas other sectors have been lauded with praise and talks of bonuses, there is absolutely no mention of security staff. In the spirit of fairness, equality and gratitude, we would like to be officially recognised for our efforts and contributions in one of the most diverse and inclusive sectors in the country.

To all the students that will miss him dearly

Direct Provision also known as asylum seekers is a term used to describe the money, food, accommodation and medical services an individual receives while their international protection application is being processed (Citizensinformation.ie, 2021). As of 2019 there were a total of 4,781 applicants for the protection status in Ireland (‘Statistics’, 2020). There were 7,330 still pending at the end of 2019 and a total of 585 people living in Ireland with the refugee status. Due to the large numbers of asylum seekers and the growing increase over the years, facilities are exhaust leading to poor treatment of the basic human rights and needs of an individual living in direct provision. Asylum seekers are given a weekly payment of €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child, as a result of this they are unable to afford education, healthcare or sufficient food (Citizensinformation.ie, 2021). Not only their physical health is being damaged, but also their mental health. People in direct provision are five times more likely to have issues in relation to their mental health (‘Direct Provision – Doras’, 2021). The total funding for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) is €770,000 (Justice, 2020). This is to be spread across seven different areas around Ireland, allowing only €110,000 for each geographical area. This is not enough funding to provide adequate accommodation, food, education and healthcare for all. The White Paper was released in February 2021 which contains a description of the current plans in relation to abolishing Direct Provision. This is in fact great news however, change needs to be made now and cannot wait three or so more years. There are people currently living in Direct Provision and their voices and concerns need to be heard and their needs must be met. Immediate action must be taken to help those currently living in Direct Provision. The following are links to more detailed sources in relation to this issue: Information on Direct Provision: https://www.irishrefugeecouncil.ie/listing/category/direct-provision Information on the food provided: https://nascireland.org/sites/default/files/WhatsFoodFINAL.pdf Information on the White Paper: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/affd6-minister-ogorman-publishes-the-white-paper-on-ending-direct-provision/ References: Citizensinformation.ie (2021) Direct provision system. Citizensinformation.ie. Available at: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/asylum_seekers_and_refugees/services_for_asylum_seekers_in_ireland/direct_provision.html ‘Direct Provision – Doras’ (2021). Available at: http://doras.org/direct-provision/ Justice, T. D. of (2020) Irish Refugee Protection Programme, The Department of Justice. The Department of Justice. Available at: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Irish_Refugee_Protection_Programme_(IRPP) ‘Statistics’ (2020) Asylum Information Database | European Council on Refugees and Exiles. Available at: https://asylumineurope.org/reports/country/republic-ireland/statistics/