A PROTEST was held in Limerick this week by former workers of the Rehab Group, who were made redundant two years ago.
38 people, many of whom have disabilities, lost their jobs when Rehab Enterprises closed its doors in Raheen in 2021.
At the time, a redundancy package was agreed by workers and management but the Rehab Group reneged on the agreement and opted to pay workers a reduced redundancy amount.
The Labour Court recommended that the Rehab Group make good on monies owed to the workers.
Protestors at last Tuesday’s demonstration called on the group to honour their original agreement and pay the workers what they’re owed, which in some cases is up to €35,000.
Organiser of the protest, Robbie Purfield of SIPTU, told the Limerick Post that many of the workers have not found employment since being let go two years ago.
“When the site closed, workers were paid a reduced redundancy amount, less than our collectively agreed redundancy. In some instances this amounts to anything between €25,000 and €35,000 for vulnerable workers, the majority of whom have not found re-employment.
“The Labour Court has vindicated our position with a recommendation that upholds our collective agreement. They believe that Rehab Group should underwrite the outstanding amounts as the sole shareholder of Rehab Enterprises,” he said.
Protesters marched from Parnell Street to the office of Limerick Minister of State Kieran O’Donnell to present him with a letter asking for his support in resolving the issue.
Mr Purfield said: “Rehab Group are in receipt of large amounts of State funding and simply cannot ignore another arm of the State that is the Labour Court.”
Limerick Sinn Féin Senator Paul Gavan attended the protest and said that he proposed a motion in the Seanad this week in support of the workers.
“I have raised the plight of these workers on a number of occasions in the Seanad over the past two years. This week’s motion called on management to implement the recommendation made by the Labour Court and honour the redundancy agreement that Rehab has with SIPTU.”
Tuesday’s protest was the second held by the former workers and SIPTU, who say protests will continue until Rehab Group honour their original agreement.
“We intend to continue to hold protests at select locations until such time as Rehab honour the Labour Court Agreement and pay the workers their full redundancy entitlements,” Mr Purfield concluded.
