asked the Minister for Finance if he will state what are the terms of the fair wages clause now inserted in Government contracts and whether any, and, if so, what alterations have been made in the clause subsequent to the year 1927.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fair Wages Clause in Contracts.
I will have the terms of the clause inserted in the Official Report.
Following are the terms: The fair wages clause now inserted in Government contracts reads as follows:—
The contractor shall pay rates of wages and observe hours of labour not less favourable than those commonly recognised by employers and trade societies (or, in the absence of such recognised wages and hours, those which in practice prevail amongst good employers) in the trade in the district where the work is carried out. Where there are no such wages and hours recognised or prevailing in the district, those recognised or prevailing in the nearest district in which the general industrial circumstances are similar shall be adopted. Further, the conditions of employment generally accepted in the district in the trade concerned shall be taken into account in considering how far the terms of this clause are being observed, and for this purpose regard shall also be had to the conditions of employment generally in the contracting firm. The contractor shall be prohibited from transferring or assigning, directly or indirectly, to any person or persons whatever any portion of this contract without the written permission of the Department. Sub-letting, other than that which may be customary in the trade concerned, shall be prohibited. The contractor shall be responsible for the observance of this clause by the sub-contractor.
No alterations have been made in the clause since 1927.