asked the Minister for Labour when it is intended to introduce legislation to provide employment protection for part-time workers so as to provide them with a degree of security in their employment.
Written Answers. - Employment Protection for Part-time Workers.
336.
No distinction is drawn between full- and part-time workers in several Acts including all occupational safety and health legislation, the Conditions of Employment Acts, 1936 to 1944, the Anti-Discrimination (Pay) Act, 1974, the Employment Equality Act, 1977, and the Payment of Wages Act, 1979.
Other Acts apply to those who work for periods beyond a defined threshold or minimum. Because of a lack of uniformity in worker protection statutes I propose, by way of a provision in the Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) Bill, to extend the Redundancy Acts, Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, 1973, and Unfair Dismissals Act, 1977, to employees who work for 18 hours a week or more, bringing those Acts into line with legislation on holidays and maternity protection.
In addition to keeping the legislation under review I will also be looking towards the creation of other mechanisms to protect part time workers. For example, the establishment of a Joint Labour Committee for Contract Cleaners is a response to some of the employment problems of one important category of part time workers.