
Workers to observe nationwide moment of reflection for Gaza
Workers across Ireland are expected to participate in a moment of reflection at lunchtime today amid the going violence in Gaza.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has asked that at 1:05pm, participating workers mark a moment of respectful reflection, as a simple act of solidarity and remembrance for the loss of life over the past eighteen months.
Today is the International UN Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression.
"As the appalling violence in Gaza continues, our members asked that the trade union movement lead in reflecting on this terrible loss of life," said ICTU General Secretary Owen Reidy.
"Since announcing the moment of reflection last week, we have been heartened by the response from the 800,000 union members across the island."
"The UN Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on these tragic events and their devastating impact on the people of Gaza, particularly the children who have suffered so greatly," Mr Reidy said.
Workers who wish to participate are encouraged to observe the moment of reflection respectfully, whether in their workplace, at home, or wherever they may be.
ICTU said the moment of reflection is not a work stoppage, and is encouraging participating workers to coordinate with their employers where possible.
SIPTU staff and members will stage a solidarity action at 1.05pm, on Butt Bridge in Dublin across from the 'Ceasefire Now' banner on the side of Liberty Hall.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Post
a day ago
- Irish Post
Protest outside the Dáil over Ireland's housing crisis
LARGE demonstrations have taken place outside the Dáil Éireann over Ireland's escalating housing crisis. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions organised the "Raise the Roof" protest to coincide with a parliamentary debate on the issue. The union labelled the crisis "the greatest political failure of our time". Ethel Buckley, deputy general secretary of SIPTU, stated: 'Workers are being priced out of home ownership and can only access housing by taking on unsustainable financial burdens.' She went on to add: 'This has serious consequences, not just on a personal level, but across society. We're seeing vital jobs go unfilled and more young people emigrating.' 'What's urgently needed is a complete overhaul and long-term strategy to provide secure, affordable housing.' Ireland's housing crisis has forced the government to navigate the wide gap in priorities between renters, landlords and property developers. Homeownership is simply out of reach for many young people due to high demand and low supply. According to recent data from property site Daft, average monthly rent has now surpassed €2,000 nationwide. In response, the government has tried to introduce policies that both limit rent hikes and encourage construction by developers and investors. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has stated that the government aims to considerably boost construction to meet national demand. However, Sinn Féin has repeatedly criticised the government for not taking enough action to resolve the crisis. The opposition described the situation as a severe emergency prior to the protest. Eoin Ó Broin TD, Sinn Féin's housing spokesperson, said: 'We're calling for measures that genuinely protect renters, not the weakening of rent pressure zones that we've seen so far, but a total freeze on rent increases and concrete support to bring costs down.' Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) are areas where rent increases are legally limited to shield tenants from sharp price hikes. The Raise the Roof campaign has widespread public support, but it remains uncertain whether this will alleviate Ireland's housing woes any time soon.


The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Trump blasts ‘publicity seeking' Macron who ‘always gets it wrong' as G7 ends in tatters with Don's sudden exit
DONALD Trump has blasted "publicity-seeking" French president Macron, insisting he got it "wrong" about the Trump leaving the G7 summit to work on a Middle East ceasefire deal. After news of the President's early departure broke, Macron said Trump had "moments ago" said talks were underway for a ceasefire. 3 Trump left the G7 summit in Canada a day early Credit: Getty 3 Macron said he understood Trump was leaving to work on a ceasefire deal Credit: AFP 3 Trump's truth social post blasting Macron's explanation of his departure Credit: Truth Social Trump was originally supposed to stay at the G7 summit in Canada until late on Tuesday, but signalled from midday Monday that he would be leaving early. He explained: "I have to be back as soon as I can," with the White House pinning his return on "what's going on in the Middle East". The other six leaders were left scrambling to put on a united front, and insisted they understood Trump's decision. Macron said: "If the United States can get a ceasefire, that's a very good thing. France would support it." But this riled Trump, who blasted "Publiciy-seeking President Emmanuel Macron, of France, mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a 'cease fire' between Israel and Iran. Wrong! "He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire." Trump earlier urged "everyone" to evacuate Tehran immediately - though officials insist the US is not gearing up to join the Israeli bombing on Iran. The other six leaders remained at the summit, and outwardly said they sympathised with Trump cutting short his attendance. Most read in The US Sun Canada's PM Mark Carney said he "full understands why" Trump had to leave early. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos . Like us on Facebook at


Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Irish Independent
The Irish Independent's View: Politicians' actions will speak louder than words when it comes to housing crisis
The opposition is 100pc correct to highlight government failings. In March 2019, Leilani Farha, the former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Housing, said: 'Contrary to international human rights obligations, investment in housing in the Republic of Ireland has disconnected housing from its core social purpose of providing people with a place to live in with security and dignity.' The Raise the Roof protests today will target Government failings and highlight the human toll taken through being unable to rent or buy at affordable rates. The campaign, which also has the backing of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, wants to see an increase in public housing investment and more punitive taxes imposed on vacancy and dereliction. It has also fought for a re-introduction of the ban on 'no fault' evictions. Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, PBP-Solidarity, several Independent TDs and the Green Party have tabled a motion calling for the implementation of all of the above. By now, the Coalition should not require a mass demonstration to recognise the risks it is running by not getting on top of the single issue on which the whole country desperately demands more progress. We have reached a moment where only big gestures and bold thinking can restore confidence in its ability to deliver on housing. Ten years into the housing crisis, it remains the greatest political failure of our time As targets are continually missed and rents keep rising, a consensus is forming around a view that inaction speaks louder than words. As Ethel Buckley, deputy general secretary of Siptu, said recently: 'Ten years into the housing crisis, and that crisis remains the greatest political failure of our time. Workers are being priced out of homes or can only rent or purchase with considerable financial burden.' It is critical that due attention is paid when people say our broken property market must be fixed. Expecting it to happen immediately is unrealistic, but a show of intent and evidence of total commitment to identifying and implementing vital solutions is not. Protests matter, though not as much as agreeing on ways to rapidly expand our housing supply. The Government needs to bring the opposition on board so that a national drive to ramp up the construction of affordable homes can be achieved. As things stand, young people are profoundly disillusioned about their prospects. They are frustrated by repeated speeches from Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris about 'challenges'. Mr Martin said he wants 'courage and ambition' to be matched with careful planning and management on the issue. He must lead by example. He speaks of taking 'brave and difficult decisions' on housing and in other areas. True, it is a time for initiative and innovation, but for them to be taken and not simply talked about.