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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 1941

Vol. 83 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Short-time Working in Factories.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether he is aware that owing to shortness of supplies many industries will be compelled to work short time and would in some cases desire to do so by working three days on and three days off, or four days on and two days off; and whether in view of the fact that the present regulations with regard to the payment of unemployment insurance are such as to deprive workers of benefits if this system of short-time working is adopted, and that any other system of short-time working may be industrially wasteful and uneconomic, he will say if he proposes to change the regulations for the payment of benefit.

The Government has given careful consideration to the steps which should be taken to deal with unemployment which may become aggravated with our increasing difficulties in securing supplies of essential materials from overseas, and has laid down as a first principle that everything practicable shall be done to keep as many workers as possible occupied at their normal employments for as long as possible. Among the measures which have been the subject of investigation in my Department in this connection are the abolition of overtime where possible and the adoption of schemes for short-time or rotational working. I have also been considering the extent to which existing regulations governing what is known as "continuity of employment" under the Unemployment Insurance or the Unemployment Assistance Acts should be adapted to fit in with the general proposals. I think it advisable, however, before coming to final conclusions in this matter, to seek the advice and help of workers and employers, and, as a first step, I have called a conference of representatives of organisations of workers and employers to discuss this and other aspects of the situation.

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