Clare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara has requested the Government to include seasonal workers in the tourism sector in the new Covid-19 unemployment payment scheme.
Speaking during Thursday’s Dáil Éireann session, Deputy McNamara said, “tens of thousands of seasonal workers, who lost their jobs before they were about to start them, have found themselves without an income.”
“Hundreds if not thousands of these workers are employed in hotels, restaurants and pubs around County Clare during the peak tourism season, with many ending up on social welfare during the off-peak season,” added Deputy McNamara. “Under the terms of the COVID-19 payment scheme, any of these workers who had not resumed employment in the sector by February 29th have not qualified for the unemployment payment.”
“This is particularly unfair considering many workers were due to resume their employment during late March or early April when the tourist season begins.
“I welcome the Irish Hotel Federation decision to back the call I made to Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe in the Dáil,” he concluded.
