asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that many employers are not paying the minimum rates of wages set up under the Bespoke Tailoring Trade Board and the Millinery and Dressmaking Trade Boards; if any complaints of this nature have reached his Department? If he has ordered, or is prepared to order, prosecutions for the purpose of having the minimum rates enforced? If any such prosecutions have taken place, and, if so, will he state what Court they were tried before, and if convictions were secured? If the Department have sufficient Inspectors to ensure compliance with the Trade Board regulations in question, and if the available Inspectors will be given positive instructions to prosecute defaulters and press for the maximum penalty, including payment of arrears?
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ ORAL ANSWERS. ] - MINIMUM RATES OF WAGES.
It has been ascertained that a number of employers have not been paying the minimum rates of wages fixed under the Trade Boards Acts in the retail bespoke tailoring and the millinery and dressmaking trades. Complaints of this nature have reached the Department, and all such complaints have been investigated by the Inspectors. In the great majority of such cases the Inspectors have been able to persuade the employers concerned to pay the correct rates of wages as well as the whole or portion of arrears due, and in a number of cases where employers refused to make payment in accordance with their obligations legal proceedings were instituted. Eight such cases in the dressmaking and tailoring trades were recently heard by District Justices. Convictions were secured in every case, fines were imposed carrying costs, and in addition orders were made for payment of arrears of wages due. In five other cases in the dressmaking trade prosecutions have been directed, and it is expected that these cases will be heard at an early date.
The Deputy is possibly aware that it is at present difficult to enforce the determinations of the Retail Bespoke Tailoring Trade Board, because those determinations are on a time basis, while practically all male workers in that trade are employed on a system of piece-work. I understand that the Trade Board has this matter under consideration, but in the meantime it is difficult to secure a conviction except in those cases where the workers are employed on time rates.
I consider that the staff now available for inspection purposes is sufficient, having regard to the need for economy. It is certainly sufficient to deal promptly with all complaints received, and the Deputy will appreciate that the employment of a large staff to inspect for grievances to which the workers or other employers have not drawn attention would not be justified. The Inspectors have instructions to demand payment of appropriate rates, together with arrears in cases of default, but I do not propose to issue general instructions to Inspectors to prosecute defaulters, as it is necessary to consider carefully the facts of each case in order to determine whether it is a suitable one for prosecution, whether there is a reasonable probability of securing a conviction, and to what extent, if any, the workers themselves have facilitated the non-compliance.