Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 4

Written Answers - Departmental Investigations.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

147 Mr. O'Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date in her Department's investigation of a company (details supplied) which has been inviting Irish meat companies to recruit butchers from Nepal on the basis that they are shy and do not cause trouble and will be pleased to earn the national minimum wage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8127/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Fahey)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to a similar question, No. 165 of 18 February 2003, from Deputy Howlin.

The labour inspectorate of my Department has commenced an investigation into allegations made in respect of the particular company. However, the investigation may be lengthy and time consuming as it may ultimately involve extending investigations to a number of other companies. The terms and conditions of employment for the meat industry are not regulated by the employment regulation order or registered employment agreement system under the Industrial Relations Acts 1946-2001. Accordingly, from an employment rights perspective, wage regu lation will be in accordance with the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000.

However, should any individuals recruited from Nepal or any other country be paid less than their native Irish work colleagues, purely because of their place of origin, this would be a matter appropriate to investigation under the Employment Equality Act 1998 and would be a matter for the Employment Equality Authority and-or the Office of Director of Equality Investigations.