asked the Minister for Defence whether he will state what are the terms of the Fair Wages Clause now inserted in contracts for Army supplies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wages on Army Contracts.
I am forwarding to the Deputy a copy of the Fair Wages Clause which is inserted in contracts for Army Supplies.
The clause will also appear in the official debates.
Following is the clause referred to:
The Fair Wages Clause inserted in contracts for Army supplies reads as follows:—
FAIR WAGES: The contractor shall pay rates of wages and observe hours of labour not less favourable than those commonly recognised by employers and trade societies (or, in the absence of such recognised wages and hours, those which in practice prevail amongst good employers) in the trade in the district where the work is carried out. Where there are no such wages and hours recognised or prevailing in the district, those recognised or prevailing in the nearest district in which the general industrial circumstances are similar shall be adopted. Further, the conditions of employment generally accepted in the district in the trade concerned shall be taken into account in considering how far the terms of this clause are being observed, and for this purpose regard shall also be had to the conditions of employment generally in the contracting firm. The contractor shall be prohibited from transferring or assigning, directly or indirectly, to any person or persons whatever, any portion of this contract, without the written permission of the Minister for Defence. Sub-letting, other than that which may be customary in the trade concerned, shall be prohibited. The contractor shall be responsible for the observance of this clause by the sub-contractor.