asked the Minister for Lands if he will (a) revoke the Order of April 25th last, which declared that forestry workers were employed on a day-to-day basis instead of by the week; (b) arrange for a further increase in wages to these men which will at least restore them to their former relative position as compared with agricultural workers; (c) arrange for forestry workers being provided with rubber boots; (d) generally improve their conditions of employment on the lines suggested in correspondence between the men's trade union and the Minister's Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Workers' Conditions.
I will deal with each portion of this question separately.
(a) Because of the very nature of their work, forestry workers have always been employed on a day-to-day basis and no such Order as referred to by the Deputy was ever made.
(b) Forestry workers got an increase in wages this year, but I presume the Deputy is referring to the differential paid to forestry workers for a short period because they were extensively employed on the production of domestic fuel, during a period of acute fuel shortage. I regret I cannot meet the Deputy's wishes in this regard.
(c) We always supply rubber boots to workers when the nature of the work demands it.
(d) Representations regarding conditions of employment are under consideration.
Is it not time that these men were at least guaranteed a week's wages and a week's work when they are so employed? We should not take our line from tradition.
The House, I am sure, is quite aware of the fact that forestry workers got an increase in wages of 1/4 in January of this year. Prior to that they were in receipt of 57/- a week while agricultural workers received 55/- a week. Since January, agricultural workers are getting 60/- a week in most counties while forestry workers are only in receipt of a basic rate of 58/4. The Minister should consider that.