asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline the main points of his recent agreement with the major supermarkets regarding a code of practice for South African products; if the code of practice included respecting the conscientious objections of staff members to handling South African products; if he is satisfied that all the supermarkets are attempting to implement the code; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - South African Imports.
11.
As the Deputy will be aware, I was asked by the Labour Court to initiate discussions with the supermarkets on a voluntary code of practice, the object of which would be to minimise the sale of South African goods. This request was made by the court in the context of a report on the dispute at Dunnes Stores, Henry Street, which I requested last April. The outcome of the discussions which I initiated with the major supermarkets amounted to a positive declaration of their individual intent to minimise the sale of South African produce. The agreed statement recognised that the search for alternative supplies to replace South African produce means that there will be a period when produce from South Africa will feature on display. This arrangement would continue until such time as the supermarkets acquire constant and consistent alternative sources of supply. I am sending the Deputy a copy of the agreed statement for his information.
The court has also recommended that, in the context of arrangements to facilitate a return to work by the workers in dispute, with management assurances of no victimisation or recrimination, I should invite both sides of industry to make submissions on the question of the rights of conscientious objectors in employment. I approached the FUE and the ICTU and both have replied in fairly negative terms so that further action on this will prove difficult.
As regards achieving a resolution of the dispute, discussions by the Labour Court with both sides commenced earlier this month and I understand that the court will be letting me have a report on the position later this week.
Is the company at the centre of the dispute, Dunnes Stores Limited, one of those companies who have signed or agreed to the guidelines which the Minister has come up with? The second part of my question was whether or not these guidelines included the right of an employee to have conscientious objections and not to suffer recrimination as a result.
The five major supermarket chains were represented at the discussions and they gave individual agreement to the terms of the statement. The question of a conscience clause is a separate matter and there has already been initial correspondence on this matter with the FUE and the ICTU.
Would the Minister not agree that if the Government were to implement a ban on South African imports, this would resolve the situation and help to end the whole apartheid system in South Africa?
The question of a Government ban on South African imports is a broader question which has already been responded to elsewhere.
Are the Government considering any mandatory measures in regard to the code of practice the Minister mentions?
The Labour Court issued a comprehensive report on this strike, which still continues. Among the recommendations was a proposal that a voluntary code of practice in relation to the importation of South African produce should be explored by the supermarkets to see if this would be achievable. To date they have agreed to such a code.
Are the Government and the Minister considering giving mandatory backing to the banning of imports from South Africa?
This matter extends beyond my specific responsibility in the Department of Labour. The Government have constantly under review the whole issue of South Africa and the question of whatever sanctions Ireland may be required to impose or may wish to participate in.