asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state the several local authorities which insert a fair wages clause in contracts made by them and indicate the nature of the clause so inserted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fair Wages Clause in Local Contracts.
Mr. Murphy
In so far as the housing schemes of local authorities are concerned, it is a statutory condition governing the payment of State subsidy that throughout the erection of the houses rates of wages must have been paid and conditions of labour observed at least as advantageous to the persons employed in such erection as the appropriate rates of wages and conditions of labour generally recognised by trade unions at the commencement of the scheme. This requirement applies to all local authorities. A typical clause used is as follows:—
"RATES OF WAGES:— The contractor shall pay the rates of wages and observe conditions of labour at least as advantageous to the persons employed by him under this contract as the appropriate standard rates of wages and conditions of labour generally recognised by trade unions in the district in which the work is carried out. Where there are no such rates of wages or conditions recognised or prevailing in the district, those recognised or prevailing in the nearest district in which the general industrial circumstances are similar, shall be recognised."
In so far as other works are concerned, the insertion of a fair wages clause is not made a condition for the payment of grants from the Employment and Emergency Schemes Vote, but in fact a clause having the same effect is normally included in the conditions of contract, and local authorities are encouraged to include such a clause in contracts for all works.