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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Dec 1972

Vol. 264 No. 7

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

40.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state without reference to comparative money values (1) the weekly or hourly rates of pay of agricultural workers (2) the hours of work and (3) paid holidays in each of the nine countries of the enlarged EEC as (a) stated in the appropriate national record or publications and (b) the equivalent value in sterling on a given date; and if the information is not yet available in his Department, if he will arrange to have the details assembled.

The reply is in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

RATES OF PAY, HOURS OF WORK AND PAID ANNUAL HOLIDAYS OF MALE AGRICULTURAL WORKERS IN THE COUNTRIES OF THE ENLARGED EUROPEAN COMMUNITY.

Minimum Conventional Rates of Pay

Country

National Currencies

Sterling Equivalents (a)

Hours of Work per Week

Paid Annual Holidays (excluding Church or Public Holidays)

Weekly Rates

Ireland

£17.45 to £18.20 (b)

£17.45 to £18.20 (b)

44 hours—Winter

12 working days

50 ,, —Summer

United Kingdom:—

(i) England and Wales

£16.20

42 hours

12 to 18 working days (c)

(ii) Scotland

£16.40

38¼ hours—Winter

10 to 15 ,, ,, (c)

43¼ ,, —Summer

(iii) Six Counties

£15.55 to £15.85 (b)

43 hours

12 to 18 ,, ,, (c)

Hourly Rates

Denmark

D. Kr. 13.95

£0.87

42½ hours—Winter

20 ,, ,,

43½ ,, —Summer

Belgium

B. Frs. 47.80

£0.46

44 hours

18 calendar days

France

F. Frs. 3.63

£0.31

45 to 48 hours (b)

24 working days

Germany

D.M. 3.14 to 3.68 (b)

£0.42 to £0.49 (b)

45 hours

15 to 18 ,, ,, (d)

Italy

It. Lira 291 to 455 (b)

£0.21 to £0.33 (b)

43 hours

20 ,, ,,

Netherlands

D. Fl. 4.055

£0.54

38¾ hours—Winter

16 ,, ,,

45 ,, —Summer

Notes:(a)Mid points of spread of closing foreign exchange rates on 8th December, 1972 as published in the “Financial Times” of 11 th December, 1972.

(b)Range of regional variations.

(c)Depending on length of service.

(d)15 days for age group 21 to 35 years; 18 days for over 35 years age group.

Sources:

Ireland and U.K.:—Respective national records—indicating current position.

Denmark:—Agricultural Employers' Association— ,, ,, ,,.

EEC States:—EEC Commission records—indicating position at 1st April, 1971 (latest available). Data for Luxembourg not included in EEC records.

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