More than 40 hotels across Ireland have signed up to a new campaign designed to encourage consumers to support businesses that promote the fair treatment of staff.

The Fair Hotels initiative, which was unveiled on 25 May at Liberty Hall Theatre in Dublin, will use the collective purchasing power of 850,000 workers to make an "ethical choice" about where they stay. Endorsed by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and confederations in 120 countries around the world, the campaign will see 61 events held at participating properties between 2010 and 2013.

A spokesperson for the Siptu union said: "More than 40 hotels across Ireland in which workers have collective bargaining rights have signed up to the campaign which will encourage trade unions and their members to use fair hotels for family holidays and breaks, conferences and meetings."