asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that forestry workers at Kilworth, County Cork, suffered a wages cut of 3/6 per week in 1929; that such workers lose 1½ days' wages for a day's time lost, and if he will now consider increasing the wages of such workers by the amount lost, and providing that in future loss of wages will not exceed the actual time lost in working.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Workers' Wages.
The rate of wages fixed for forestry workers in each county is related to the average rate of wages paid to agricultural workers in the same county, and the reduction to which the Deputy refers and which took place prior to 1929 was made on this basis. As regards wages lost by workers absenting themselves from work, the existing regulations provide for a six-day week with a privilege half-day with pay on Saturdays, provided that the worker is not absent from duty during the preceding five days. As already intimated in the Dáil, it is proposed to review the rates of wages paid to forestry workers generally when rates of wages have been fixed under the Agricultural Wages Act.