Tips earned by employees in the hospitality sector will will go directly into their own pockets after the Payment of Wages (Tips & Gratuities) Act 2022, was signed into law by the President, Mr. Michael D. Higgins this week.

The move has been welcomed by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions but the union warned there is a lot more to be done.

“And as stated at a recent Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism and Hospitality, this is only a starting point to make improvements for workers and ensure the sector provides decent employment,” said Fiona Dunne of the ICTU. “While employers state that it is increasingly difficult to find staff willing to work in hospitality, we have said time and again, that people are willing to work and remain in a sector where there is adequate training, decent pay - well above minimum wage levels - adherence to the range of employment legislation to which they are entitled, career opportunities and progression and dignity and respect in all interactions.”