asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if forms are now issued to employers of labour from employment exchanges containing a request for details as to the period of labour for which the employee was at work, and also seeking information regarding the payment of wages to workmen in respect of annual holidays and the sections of the Conditions of Employment Act, 1936, under which such payment was made; if he will state what is the purpose of this inquiry, and what use is to be made of the information which is sought for.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment Exchanges and Employers.
In cases in which workers in any "industrial undertaking" (within the meaning of the Conditions of Employment Act, 1936) have not completed an employment year and are on the termination of their employment entitled to receive payment in lieu of annual leave, some employers have paid contributions under the Unemployment Insurance Acts in respect of the days following the date on which employment terminated. Contributions are not payable under the Unemployment Insurance Acts in respect of such payment in lieu of annual leave, and in consequence it is necessary to make inquiries as to the exact facts for the purpose of determining the position of the workers under the Unemployment Insurance Acts. Few cases of this kind now arise.
I entirely agree with the Minister, but that is not exactly the question addressed to the employers. The form of the communication to the employers is: "It is understood that wages in respect of annual holidays have been paid by you to the above-named workmen." Annual holidays and payment in lieu of annual leave are two entirely different and distinct things, and if the form is answered strictly, the Government are likely to be misled. Does the Minister not consider the form in these precise words misleading and liable to bring forth an answer which will not give the information sought?
I will look into the matter.