Standalone offences for retail workers must be a priority – Butterly

Legislation for crimes against retail workers must be introduced as soon as possible, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Paula Butterly said businesses across the country urgently need legislation introduced to protect their staff.

“At busy shopping times, like Christmas, retailers are rightly concerned about the safety of their staff. Recently a survey found nearly two thirds of those surveyed in the retail and bar work sector suffered verbal abuse and a quarter have received threats to their physical safety.

“If we want our towns and cities to thrive, we must show retail workers that they are supported and protected.

“We need to see legislation to create a distinct criminal offence for assaults and abuse targeting retail staff,” the Fine Gael TD said.

“The Protection of Retail Workers Act 2025 was introduced in the Seanad earlier this year, but we urgently need to see it progressed. The legislation is specifically aimed at strengthening protections for staff from assaults and abuse.

“In 2021, the Scottish government recognised additional legal safeguards needed to protect retail workers from the abuse so many face at work. This law is working and since being enacted more than 500 people were convicted between 2021 and 2023[1].

“We want people to shop local and come to our city and towns centres right across the country. But we need our retail workers to feel safe if we want to rejuvenate our town and city centres.

“We need engagement from all stakeholders, from retail workers, business owners, An Garda Siochana and Government to ensure legislation is introduced and staff get the support they need,” concluded Deputy Butterly.

[1] https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-10-01-2024?iob=133411&meeting=15636&utm_source=chatgpt.com