Sinn Féin Senator Warfield has today called on the Government to bring forward much needed reform to help PhD researchers.

Speaking in response to today’s Postgraduate Workers Organisation protest, Senator Warfield said:

“PhD researchers are a vital part of our research and higher education system. Yet they are paid far below the minimum wage and forced to choose between living in poverty or balancing an unsustainable workload on top of their research.

“Sinn Féin believe in fair pay for a fair day’s work. PhD researchers must be recognised as workers and provided to the basic benefits – including minimum wage, sick leave, maternity leave, and paternity leave – that are available to everyone else.

“This government needs to wake up to the reality of what life is like for PhD researchers in Ireland and act urgently to ensure that we support, not impede, the valuable work they do.
“Sinn Féin government would stand up for PhD researchers and ensure the work they done is properly recognised and valued.”