asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that certain well-known shops are at present underpaying their employees; and if he will make provision, if necessary by further legislation, for a standard rate of wages for all shop assistants by which they can exist in reasonable comfort.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shop Assistants' Wages.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the negative. The Shops (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1938, makes provision for the establishment of a shops wages board with power to fix minimum wages in any case in which a member of the staff of a shop claims that his wages are unduly low. Owing to existing circumstances this provision has not been put into operation. No new legislative provision is necessary, however, and consideration will be given to the operation of the section if there is any evidence of substantial demand for it.