Vol. 526 No. 3
154 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current status of legislative proposals to deal with discrimination against part-time workers identified by the courts; the key changes which she envisages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26290/00]
My Department recently received from the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel a draft of the Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Bill, 2000 which is designed to implement Council Directive 97/81/EC of 15 December, 1997 concerning the framework agreement on part-time work concluded by UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC. The text of the draft Bill is being examined by my officials. It is intended to publish the Bill and have it enacted before the deadline of 20 January 2001 laid down by the European Union.
The Bill will provide for the removal of discrimination against part-time workers where such exists. It will also improve the quality of part-time work, facilitate the development of part-time work on a voluntary basis as well as contribute to the flexible organisation of working time in a manner which takes into account the needs of employers and workers. The Bill will also guarantee that part-time workers may not be treated less favourably than full-time workers.
