asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the fact that decisions of the Labour Court, recommending retrospective increases in wages, have resulted in considerable loss to the industries concerned, he will, if necessary, introduce proposals for legislation to amend the power of the court so as to ensure that recommendations for increases in future cease to be retrospective.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Labour Court Recommendations.
I do not see any necessity for any amendment of the powers of the court in this matter. The date from which any change in rates of wages should take effect is a normal element in a trade dispute, whether the dispute comes before the Labour Court or not, and if a dispute is investigated by the court and a claim is made for retrospection the court may make a recommendation on this matter as on other matters in dispute.
The Minister does appreciate, of course, that where a recommendation is made retrospective it results frequently in a loss to the company and eventually in an increase in the price of the products of that company and, therefore, an increase in the cost of living.
Of course, I must assume that these factors are taken into consideration by the court in coming to a decision.
Would the Minister consider a recommendation that the workers should withhold their services until the recommendation of the court is made known, as the commercial and professional classes do?