Almost 700 workers at RTE involved in ‘bogus’ employment scandal

The Minister said RTE has made a provision of less than €20m to pay and correct the PRSI contributions of the workers involved to the Revenue and the Department of Social Protection

A staggering 695 workers are involved in the ‘bogus’ employment scandal at RTE.

RTE classed the workers as self-employed when they were effectively working full time for the national broadcaster and they were denied pension rights, holiday pay, sick leave and maternity leave, reports the Irish Mirror. Media Minister Catherine Martin revealed the number involved to Sinn Fein Louth TD Imelda Munster, a prominent member of both the Oireachtas Public Accounts and the Media Committees.

She confirmed of the 695 cases discovered an investigation into 149 of these has started or has been completed and that is an ongoing process which is likely to take some time to complete. The Minister said RTE has made a provision of less than €20m to pay and correct the PRSI contributions of the workers involved to the Revenue and the Department of Social Protection.

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She stated: ” On the question of retrospection these are employees and contractors of RTE and it is a matter for it to address such questions. The rights of individuals must be protected.

“I am aware that previously after the Eversheds Review that RTE engaged with unions in a facilitated process to address questions of retrospective compensation but any future retrospective compensation is a matter for RTE and not me as Minister.”

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Deputy Munster said: “RTE has set aside €20m because they know that the Revenue is going to be coming after them.

“It goes back decades where workers within RTE , the public service broadcaster, were bogusly classed as self employed and denied pension rights, holiday pay, sick leave, all of the entitlements that other workers are entitled to.

“The ones at the top of RTE walked off into the sun with their exit packages and the workers were left in limbo, having been denied their entitlements. The worst thing of all is RTE has set aside the sum for the Revenue but not one cent for workers.”