asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that dissatisfaction prevails among the workers employed in the coal-mining industry, especially in the area of Castlecomer, because, owing to the frequent curtailment of their working time caused by flooding, air conditions, collapses, breakdown of machinery, illness and accident, they have difficulty in qualifying for annual and public holiday pay under the provisions of the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1939; and if he will reconsider the representations made to him in this matter after the passing of the Act by the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union, which seek a reduction in the qualifying number of hours stipulated in sub-sections 1, 2 and 3 of Section 10 of the Act.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Castlecomer Miners' Holidays.
I have received representations to the effect that in the case of Castlecomer miners a reduction should be made in the number of hours required in order to qualify for annual and public holidays with pay under the provisions of the Holidays (Employees) Act, 1939. These representations have been fully considered but I regret that I cannot see my way to accede to them.
Does the Minister not believe that everything possible should be done, particularly at the present time, to encourage the maximum production in our coal mines and will he say what is the meaning of having this provision in the Act since he declines to give it effect in regard to so deserving a body of workers as those engaged in the coal mines? This provision is no use so far as these men are concerned and theirs is a case in which there should be no hesitation in giving effect to it.
I am not clear as to how the change suggested, in the Deputy's question would result in increased production of coal. I think that it is highly undesirable that there should be different regulations for different classes of workers. Castlecomer miners ordinarily work a shorter week than miners in other places. That is a matter of local arrangement. It is still possible for those miners to qualify for the benefits provided by the Holidays (Employees) Act.
Is the Minister prepared to give this question further consideration? If he does so, he will realise that some provision should be made to enable these workers to qualify for annual holidays. The Minister is aware that, in this industry, the workers suffer severe hardships both in regard to the atmosphere in which they have to work and the conditions under which they have to work. As indicated in the question, there are many other aspects of the industry which should be considered. I ask the Minister if he is prepared to give further consideration to the matter.
The plea that working conditions are unfavourable, and that special treatment is justifiable, has been made in respect of a large number of classes of workers. I am, personally, of opinion that it is undesirable that statutory provisions, which are intended to provide for minimum conditions of employment, should vary as between one class of workers and another. To avoid discontent, it is desirable that there should be uniform treatment of workers as far as legislation is concerned.
There is no body of workers in the country for whom there is more generous sympathy, particularly amongst the working-class population, than the miners. Everybody extends sympathy to the men engaged in our coal mines and, in view of their special position, I should like to press upon the Minister to give further consideration to their case. The people of Kilkenny, particularly those in the coal-mining area, are satisfied that, if these workers were given the benefits of this section of the Act, it would mean an increase, to some extent, in the production of the Castlecomer coalfields.
The problem to which the Deputy refers is, I understand, peculiar to Castlecomer. In the case of other mines, the ordinary working week is one of 48 hours. In Castlecomer, because of historical reasons, the working week is one of less than 40 hours. This problem is, therefore, peculiar to the Castlecomer miners. There is no statutory bar on the Castlecomer miners working the same number of hours as those employed in other coal mines.
Would the Minister make inquiries as to the position of the Arigna mines and ascertain if the same conditions obtain as in Castlecomer? I have had a number of complaints regarding this matter and I was asked to put a question to the Minister with a view to obtaining some relaxation of the law so as to enable the men in Arigna to qualify for holidays. I should like to impress upon the Minister the desirability of enabling those men to qualify for holidays.