asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that a majority of shop assistants who have borne the brunt of the emergency for the past four years have not yet received the emergency bonus, and if he will speed up the matter and give his decision on such claims.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shop Assistants' Emergency Bonus.
Emergency Powers (No. 260) Order, 1943, provides that bonus Orders may be granted only following an application for such bonus on behalf of the employees concerned, either alone, or jointly with their employers. I am not aware that there has been undue delay in disposing of any application relating to shop assistants, but if the Deputy has a particular application in mind I will have the matter examined on receiving further particulars.
Is the Minister aware that in the City of Dublin there are branch shops where the assistants have only received a bonus of 4/-? They got that advance in 1940, but received nothing extra since, although their claim has been in for some time. Why has there been such delay in sanctioning a further increase in view of the fact that an agreement was arrived at between the union and the employers concerned? I ask the Minister to speed up a decision.
I think the Deputy had better name the specific application so that I can examine it.
Seeing that the Government have a standard rate of wages for agricultural workers, would it not be possible to introduce legislation providing for a standard rate of wages for shop assistants?
That is a separate question. There is no reference to wages in this question.
I refer the Deputy to the appropriate section of the Conditions of Employment Act.
I shall send the Minister particulars.