asked the Minister for Lands if he will take steps to alter the system whereby a head labourer with the Forestry Division has a deduction made from his weekly earnings if a member of his gang is absent for a day.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Earnings of Forestry Labourers.
25.
The present system of determining the differential payable to leading workers employed by the Forestry Division of my Department is designed to ensure equitable treatment of leading workers all over the country and I am not contemplating changing the system. The size of the gang and the extent of absenteeism— a common feature of such employment—are factors affecting the load of supervisory work falling upon the leading worker and affect the assessment of his entitlement each week. The arrangement is a complex one and it would perhaps be best if the Deputy will supply me with particulars of the case he has in mind. If so, I shall be happy to explain the position more fully.
26.
asked the Minister for Lands why a sum in excess of an actual day's pay is deducted from the pay packet of a forestry labourer who is absent for one day from his employment; and if he will take steps to rectify this injustice.
Workers employed by the Forestry Division of my Department are paid a time rate and incentive bonus based on their actual hours of attendance during the week and not on the basis of deduction from a gross weekly wages figure in respect of days of absence. If the Deputy has a specific case in mind, I will be pleased to have it examined on receipt of the details.