HOTELIERS in Kerry had expressed real concern for several hundred seasonal workers in the county’s tourism industry who lost their jobs even before they were about to start them and did not qualify for Covid-19 unemployment payments.
The Irish Hotels’ Federation had called on the government to implement sector specific supports so the workers were not left struggling and, it is understood, there have been moves in the corridors of power this afternoon to ensure the staff involved were catered for.
KillarneyToday.com understands that the Covid-19 unemployment payment will now be extended to causal jobseekers who are now fully unemployed.
Worries had been expressed that seasonal workers, particularly those with a proven employment history, would be left behind as, even before they were due to return to work after the winter lay-off, they were not qualifying for the €350 Covid-19 unemployment payment.
They are employed in hotels, restaurants and pubs during the tourist season but they draw social welfare when their places of employment close for the winter.
Workers who were not employed by 29 February last did not qualify for the Covid-19 unemployment payment but they stressed that they were only due to start work after that date because the tourist season generally starts in April and runs until October.
Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Niall Kelleher, said the issue has been raised with him by several hotel and catering staff and a number of hoteliers in Killarney and he made representations on the matter to Fianna Fail social protection spokesman Willie O’Dea.
© KillarneyToday.com is the 24/7 online news service provided by O’Mahony Media
Advertise to ensure your message reaches more than 18,000 readers every day, with over 300,000 viewers every month and over 23,600 followers on Facebook
