asked the Minister for Labour if he considers that the American corporate labour relations experience where by and large employee ownership can stabilise employment vis-à-vis staff and management turnover and contribute towards harmony in labour relations is significant in the light of the expanding Irish industrial programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Employee Participation.
663.
I refer the Deputy to paragraphs 3.9 to 3.14 of the National Plan which deal with profit sharing and worker shareholding and in particular the last sentence of paragraph 3.14 which reads:
The Government for their part, have a strong commitment to developing profit sharing and worker shareholding, which they consider an effective step to ensure the success and efficiency of Irish industry and the prosperity and security of Irish workers for the future.
I would also draw the Deputy's attention to the important initiatives to promote increased worker shareholding in companies in the Finance Acts of 1982 and 1984. My own view is that employee financial participation must be based on agreement and developed through good management and trade union practice as part of a total philosophy of employee participation.
I am aware of a variety of forms of financial participation in operation in the United States at present, some of which are not primarily motivated by industrial relations considerations. While we can learn from the experiences of other countries, including the United States, we should not copy schemes in an uncritical fashion which may be inappropriate to Irish circumstances.