Vol. 507 No. 2
40 Mr. Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the discussions, if any, which will commence with the social partners to discuss legislative measures to ensure that part-time and temporary workers will have the same legal protection as permanent workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16674/99]
A tripartite working group, including representatives from the social partners and from my Department, has been set up to discuss the measures necessary for the transposition of the EU Directive on Part-Time Working, which must be implemented by 20 January 2000. The working group has commenced its discussions, and further meetings are scheduled to take place shortly.
The purpose of the directive is to prevent part-time workers from being treated less favourably than full-time workers and, in this regard, it aims to provide for the removal of discrimination against part-time workers and to improve the quality of part-time work generally. The directive is also intended to facilitate the development of part-time work on a voluntary basis and to contribute to the flexible organisation of working time in a manner which takes into account the needs of both employees and employers.
