Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Jul 1997

Vol. 480 No. 2

Priority Questions. - National Minimum Wage.

Richard Bruton

Question:

32 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Employment the steps, if any, she proposes to take to implement the Government's commitment to introduce a national minimum hourly wage; the effects of the proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13993/97]

The programme for Government includes, as a key priority, the introduction of a national minimum hourly wage.

I intend to bring proposals on the implementation of this commitment to the Cabinet shortly. The economic and social importance of this commitment requires full consultation with the social partners.

What is the nature of the consultations the Minister intends to engage in? Will she indicate whether she is open to persuasion on the introduction of a national minimum wage?

In the first instance I intend to examine the existing JLC machinery which, as the Deputy knows, covers 100,000 workers in 17 different sectors and examine its impact. Clearly we want to involve the social partners in this issue because it impacts on both of them.

As I have said, I will bring proposals before Government very shortly. I do not want to pre-empt any proposals I might make by offering views at this stage.

Does the Minister intend awaiting the results of the review before proceeding? For example, will she be examining the potential impact, positive or otherwise, of the introduction of a national minimum wage before deciding to go ahead or is she committed to going ahead with a national minimum wage whether or not that analysis points to the necessity for or desirability of such legislation?

It is a question of striking a balance between the rights of workers, particularly vulnerable workers such as women and young people, on the one hand and the interests of employment on the other. In the manner in which I intend bringing forward such proposals to Government I want to strike the right balance so that there will be no losers — that employment and workers rights both win. It can be done. It is a question of how we design the introduction of this commitment. I am determined to do so in a way that will protect vulnerable workers and employment within our economy.

Does the Minister envisage the same hourly rate of pay will apply, say, in a corner store with a low level of business as in a major multiple with a very high volume of business?

I am certainly not going to bargain on the floor of the House. As the Deputy knows, under the JLC, rates vary from £5.49 per hour in the case of a law clerk to £1.71 for general ancillary workers. Clearly, it would not be appropriate to have the same rate for everybody. We will have to take into account experience andlevel of skill but I am anxious that vulnerable workers should not suffer in the manner in which this will be done. Emphasis will be placed on its introduction in a manner which will protect vulnerable workers, particularly those with low skills, and employment within our economy.

Has the Minister commenced her consultations since she appears to be at a very advanced stage in her thinking on bringing forward proposals in this area? What consultations has she undertaken to date?

Other than those with my officials, I have not had any consultation with any other parties at this stage but I intend bringing forward proposals to Cabinet within a matter of weeks.

Ahead of those consultations?

Is that not in breach of the commitment in the programme for Government that no legislation will be introduced to Cabinet until after consultations have been completed? I draw the Minister's attention to page 7 of the programme for Government which clearly states that any such measures will be introduced following consultations with the social partners.

I did not say I would bring legislation before the Cabinet but that I would bring forward my proposals on this matter. I will recommend the course of action to my Government colleagues, which will involve widespread consultation with the social partners, including the employment and the employee sides. My interest is to protect vulnerable workers, particularly women and young people, who are exploited. The greatest exploitation is not having a job and clearly we must protect employment. We can do both and it is a question of how we do so.

Will the Minister agree one of the commitments in the programme for Government has been reneged upon in that it states that the introduction of such measures will follow early consultations? The Minister now indicates that she will have no such consultations before going to Cabinet with proposals.

On the contrary, the manner in which I intend to proceed will involve the widest possible level of consultation. This proposal will not be implemented until consultations have been fully engaged in. I intend to bring to the Government my proposals on this issue within a matter of weeks.

Top
Share