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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jul 1961

Vol. 191 No. 11

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Workers' Holidays.

36.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if any International Labour Office convention regarding equality of holidays for agricultural workers remains unsatisfied in the Republic; and, if so, if he will give the text, or a summary of the text, of any such convention.

The only International Labour Convention dealing specifically with holidays for agricultural workers is the Holidays with Pay in Agriculture Convention (No. 101), 1952.

This Convention does not provide for any particular number of holidays, its main purpose being to secure recognition of the principle that agricultural workers should receive some holidays.

As the Deputy is aware, this principle has long been recognised in this country, and if the Bills now before the House are enacted, all workers both agricultural and non-agricultural, will be entitled to two weeks paid annual leave in the year.

Existing legislation satisfies almost entirely the provisions of the Convention. The Convention has not, however, been ratified by the Government mainly because it contains a prohibition on the practice of permitting workers to forgo holidays. Our legislation provides that an agricultural worker may forgo holidays in favour of double payment for the period involved.

Copies of the Holidays with Pay in Agriculture Convention, 1952, were presented to both Houses of the Oireachtas on 7th November, 1952, and are available in the Library of the House.

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