Fianna Fáil spokesperson for SMEs, Enterprise and Retail, Tony McCormack, has called for cross party backing to pass a bill that would create specific offences for assaulting, threatening, harassing or abusing retail workers while they are carrying out their employment.
The bill, which was originally introduced to the Seanad by Fianna Fáil Senator Mary Fitzpatrick last April, “is needed now more than ever,” said Deputy McCormack.
“We need full party support to get this essential piece of legislation over the line and enacted so that we can help make retail workers safer in their place of work.”
His call comes in light of new statistics showing that up to 70 of retail workers have personally experienced abusive language or behaviour from customers while working. The survey of 500 retail workers was commissioned by Circle K, Maxol and MrPRICE Branded Bargains and supported by Retail Ireland as part of Kindness Week.
Speaking on the issue, Deputy McCormack stated:
“Society has changed dramatically over the past twenty years. People now feel like they can do and say what they want without fear or consequence.
“Retail workers are working in essential jobs at the heart of our communities, they should be treated with respect and dignity without question. They deserve to feel safe and unthreatened in their place of work just like anyone else.”
Deputy McCormack said the proposed legislation would create specific offences for assaulting or threatening retail workers while carrying out their employment. The legislation is aimed at strengthening protections for staff from assaults and abuse.
It has previously been estimated by An Garda Síochána and the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association that retail crime costs retailers over €1.62 billion each year.
Deputy McCormack continued:
“We need to progress this legislation as quickly as possible; this legislation needs to get through the Seanad and into the Dáil so it can undergo the scrutiny that is required before being enacted.
“This will provide the protection retail workers need to feel safer in their workplace from thugs.”
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