asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state without reference to comparative money values (1) the weekly or hourly rates of pay of agricultural workers (2) the hours of work and (3) paid holidays in each of the nine countries of the enlarged EEC as (a) stated in the appropriate national record or publications and (b) the equivalent value in sterling on a given date; and if the information is not yet available in his Department, if he will arrange to have the details assembled.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Workers' Pay.
The reply is in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
RATES OF PAY, HOURS OF WORK AND PAID ANNUAL HOLIDAYS OF MALE AGRICULTURAL WORKERS IN THE COUNTRIES OF THE ENLARGED EUROPEAN COMMUNITY.
Minimum Conventional Rates of Pay |
||||
Country |
National Currencies |
Sterling Equivalents (a) |
Hours of Work per Week |
Paid Annual Holidays (excluding Church or Public Holidays) |
Weekly Rates |
||||
Ireland |
£17.45 to £18.20 (b) |
£17.45 to £18.20 (b) |
44 hours—Winter |
12 working days |
50 ,, —Summer |
||||
United Kingdom:— |
||||
(i) England and Wales |
£16.20 |
42 hours |
12 to 18 working days (c) |
|
(ii) Scotland |
£16.40 |
38¼ hours—Winter |
10 to 15 ,, ,, (c) |
|
43¼ ,, —Summer |
||||
(iii) Six Counties |
£15.55 to £15.85 (b) |
43 hours |
12 to 18 ,, ,, (c) |
|
Hourly Rates |
||||
Denmark |
D. Kr. 13.95 |
£0.87 |
42½ hours—Winter |
20 ,, ,, |
43½ ,, —Summer |
||||
Belgium |
B. Frs. 47.80 |
£0.46 |
44 hours |
18 calendar days |
France |
F. Frs. 3.63 |
£0.31 |
45 to 48 hours (b) |
24 working days |
Germany |
D.M. 3.14 to 3.68 (b) |
£0.42 to £0.49 (b) |
45 hours |
15 to 18 ,, ,, (d) |
Italy |
It. Lira 291 to 455 (b) |
£0.21 to £0.33 (b) |
43 hours |
20 ,, ,, |
Netherlands |
D. Fl. 4.055 |
£0.54 |
38¾ hours—Winter |
16 ,, ,, |
45 ,, —Summer |
Notes:(a)Mid points of spread of closing foreign exchange rates on 8th December, 1972 as published in the “Financial Times” of 11 th December, 1972.
(b)Range of regional variations.
(c)Depending on length of service.
(d)15 days for age group 21 to 35 years; 18 days for over 35 years age group.
Sources:
Ireland and U.K.:—Respective national records—indicating current position.
Denmark:—Agricultural Employers' Association— ,, ,, ,,.
EEC States:—EEC Commission records—indicating position at 1st April, 1971 (latest available). Data for Luxembourg not included in EEC records.