asked the Minister for Labour if he intends to amend existing protective legislation for employees to bring part time workers within the scope of its application.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Protective Legislation for Workers.
1.
No distinction is made between full and part time workers in much of the legislation administered by my Department; for example, all occupational safety and health legislation, the Conditions of Employment Acts, 1936 to 1944, the Anti-Discrimination (Pay) Act, 1974, the Employment Equality Act, 1977, and the Payment of Wages Act, 1979.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, provision was made in the Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) Act, 1984, to reduce to 18 hours the threshold for qualification for the protection of the Unfair Dismissals Act, the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act and the Redundancy Payments Acts. I intend to keep the position of part time workers under review with a view to considering what further improvements may be desirable and feasible.
I am sure the Minister is aware that there are an estimated 54,000 people designated as being part time workers. A very high proportion of these are women. Would the Minister not agree that there is a need for them to be brought in under the Unfair Dismissals Act to ensure that they are not exploited, as many of them are at present?
The Deputy is correct in his remark with regard to the number of workers. Of the estimated 57,000 part time workers, 41,000 are females. There is no distinction between part time and full time workers in the context of much of the legislation operated by the Department. There would be difficulties in bringing all workers into the protection for all kinds of employment. There would also be cost implications. It will be kept under review to see if any further improvements are desirable or feasible.
I appreciate that the Minister of State has given a fairly good reply in regard to the existing position, but would he not accept that there has been a significant increase over the past nine years or so from around 39,000 part time workers to the present figure of 57,000? A significant number of those are women. Would he agree that there is a significant trend in the direction of part time work and that part of the attraction for employers is the fact they can escape from the effects of the unfair dismissals and minimum notice Acts by employing people for less than 18 hours a week? Would he not agree that the legislation should be amended to ensure they are covered?
The Deputy is no doubt aware that ICTU, the Employment Equality Agency and women's organisations are urging that Ireland should support the proposals for the draft EC directive on voluntary part time work. If an extension of all labour legislation to all workers, irrespective of the number of hours worked, were to be brought into operation, it would give rise to administrative costs and problems. I accept that there is a trend towards part time work but the position will be kept under constant review to see if any improvements can be brought about.