Scheme to provide fast-track dispute resolution

A new scheme to put unfair dismissal disputes on the fast-track has been launched by Minister for Employment and Learning, Carmel Hanna.

Speaking to guests attending the Labour Relations Agency’s Unfair Dismissal Arbitration Scheme, Carmel Hanna said the Scheme would provide a voluntary alternative to tribunal hearings for the resolution of unfair dismissal disputes.

She added: "It has been introduced as a way for ensuring that parties involved in an unfair dismissal case can have a faster, less costly, non-legalistic and confidential means of resolving their dispute. Hearings will normally take place within six weeks of applications being lodged and the decision of the arbitrator will be binding."

Explaining the role of the independent arbitrators, the Minister continued: "The Labour Relations Agency has recently appointed eleven independent arbitrators to hear cases referred by the parties for arbitration. The hearings will be conducted in a manner that will be flexible, informal, and will avoid the legal procedures of formal pleadings and cross-examination of the witnesses.

"The remedies available to the parties will be the same as those that currently apply in the tribunal process. The scheme will deal with cases of alleged unfair dismissal only and is not designed to deal with the broad spectrum of industrial relations law."

The Minister also confirmed that arbitrators might also make recommendations to promote the improvement of employment relations within the workforce.

(MB)