asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that there are men employed by the Land Commission at a wage of 33/- per week, and if he proposes to give a substantial increase to all such workers who are suffering great hardship by reason of this low rate of pay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Commission Employees' Wages.
The rates of wages of labourers employed by the Land Commission on estate improvement works are related to the rates payable to other analogous classes in State employment. Labourers employed by the Land Commission are not agricultural labourers within the meaning of the Agricultural Wages Act, 1936, and work only a 48-hour week as against the 54-hour week of the agricultural labourer, but it is customary to review their rates of pay in the light of the variations in the minimum wages payable to agricultural labourers under Orders promulgated from time to time by the Agricultural Wages Board.
The rates of wages of Land Commission labourers were last reviewed on the 1st February, 1943, in consequence of the promulgation of the Agricultural Wages (Minimum Rates) Order, 1943, and an increase of 3/- per week was then granted, bringing the minimum wage to 33/- per week. It is not proposed to make a further review at present.