asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that proposals have been made by the workers' representatives on the Agricultural Wages Board to prescribe a weekly half-holiday for agricultural workers and whether, in view of the fact that the functions of the board are limited oy statute to the fixation of minimum rates of wages, he is prepared to introduce proposals for amending the law so as to empower the board to prescribe maximum hours of work and a weekly half-holiday for agricultural workers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Powers of Agricultural Wages Board.
I have not received representations from the Agricultural Wages Board on the subject mentioned, and I am not prepared to introduce legislation for amending the Agricultural Wages Act.
Is the Minister aware that the workers' representatives on the board sought to have this matter raised but were informed that it was outside the power of the board to fix a weekly half-holiday for the workers? In view of the fact that a half-holiday is provided for other workers, on what ground does the Minister decline to make similar provision for agricultural workers?
Possibly the board was right in saying that it is not its function to fix a half-holiday. The wages are fixed on an hourly rate, so that if there was any granting of a half-holiday for the agricultural worker, it would appear to be at his own loss.
Surely, it is possible to get over that by legislation?