asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has been requested to make exclusion regulations under the Conditions of Employment Act, 1936, applying to the industrial work done in connection with creameries; whether he is aware that in certain instances creamery workers were obliged under duress to assent to the proposals submitted to them, and whether, in view of the fact that creamery workers generally are opposed to the exclusion of creamery work from any of the provisions of the Act, he will decline to make regulations which would have the effect of withholding from creamery workers any of the benefits of the Act.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Conditions of Employment Act and Creameries
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The representations made on behalf of the employers and workers in the creamery industry, who were consulted in accordance with the provisions of the Act, are being examined and I hope to be in a position to make a decision on the application in the course of a few days.
Will the Minister bear in mind that there is an effort on foot on the part of creameries in certain parts of the country, particularly in the Cork area, to endeavour to induce workers to sign away their rights under this Act? Will the Minister ensure that that attempt is defeated in the consideration which he will give to this matter?
I shall give consideration to all relevant circumstances in so far as they are brought under my notice.