The terms of a new Construction Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) were signed into law by the Minister of State for Business, Employment, and Retail on 7th November and will come into force on 1st August 2025.

The new SEO, which supersedes the previous SEO of 2023, sets updated minimum pay rates, pension contributions, and sick pay entitlements for approximately 50,000 qualifying construction workers. 

SIPTU Construction Sector Organiser, John Regan, said: “The increases recommended by the Labour Court in the new Construction SEO of 6.6% over the term of its implementation goes some way in addressing the losses suffered by workers during the period of high inflation. However, the timing of the increases is disappointing as workers would have to wait until August 2025 to receive the first increase of 3.4%.”

SIPTU Organiser, Andrew McGuinness, said: “It was regrettable that the Labour Court did not recommend in favour of the construction unions’ claim for travel time. The failure to eliminate starting rates within the SEO is also a retrograde step at a time when the construction industry is competing for labour with other sectors of the economy and needs to attract young men and women into the industry.”

For the details of the new Construction SEO click here (we’ll need to upload them on the site).