Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 April 2004
176 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on complaints from Irish entrepreneurs that they are being undercut in tendering competitions by non-EU companies in which labour is provided by workforces from the home countries of those companies at well below market costs here; and if Irish minimum wages also apply to such workers. [10565/04]
View answerI understand the Deputy has a specific situation in mind and if he can supply details my Department will be happy to consider if work permits have been issued in this case and if the employer has complied with the terms of such permits.
On a broader level, I can confirm that, where work permits are issued, the employer in question must comply with the relevant industry agreements, including the pay dimension. There can be a difference between such agreements, or recommended pay levels, and those operating in the market at any given time, which may be higher.
All employees in the State are protected by Irish employment law including minimum pay and if the Deputy has information of non-compliance, my Department is prepared to investigate. The Department has had a number of allegations of unfair practice from disappointed contractors in recent years but there has been a clear difficulty in supplying specific information to support such allegations.
