asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether the Government intend to ratify the International Labour Organisation convention on equal pay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - I.L.O. Convention on Equal Pay.
43.
The general policy in relation to the determination of wage rates is that they should, so far as possible, be negotiated freely between employers' and workers' organisations. If workers' trade unions desire to ensure equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value, it is always open to them to seek the application of the principles of the Convention in negotiating wage agreements with employers. The Convention expressly provides that its principles may be applied by means of collective agreements between employers and workers.
It is not my intention to introduce legislation in the matter as this would be contrary to the principle of free negotiation.