asked the Minister for Labour the latest position regarding his discussions with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions regarding a possible reduction in the length of the working week; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Working Week Reduction.
9.
The agreements on pay negotiated in conjunction with the Programme for National Recovery provided that in October, 1988 discussions would take place at national level between the Government, the FIE, the CIF and the ICTU on a general framework to allow for the implementation of a one hour per week reduction in working hours over the three year period of the national programme in cases where the normal working week is at or above 40 hours.
The discussions resulted in the successful conclusion of an agreement. The agreement provides a framework within which employers and unions may negotiate a reduction of one hour per week. These negotiations are to be carried on at the level at which basic pay and conditions of employment are normally negotiated.
Negotiations have been taking place in this context and agreement has already been reached in many cases. Any further reduction in working hours would, of course, be primarily a matter for negotiation between the relevant interests.
I have also initiated a review of the conditions of Employment Acts which specify statutory maximum permissible working hours for employees in industrial work. I am at present in consultation with the FIE and ICTU in the matter. It would not be my intention to reduce maximum hours of work under these Acts below negotiated norms.
The Minister has told us that agreement has been reached with some employers but will he agree that under the programme about 100 employments out of approximately 2,000 have had a reduction in the working week to 39 hours? Is the Minister happy that, as appears to be the case, employers are dragging their heels on this issue?
A number of agreements have been concluded. We are still within the period of the Programme for National Recovery and I would prefer to wait until it has concluded before I express an opinion. I am aware that the change is taking place speedily in some cases and that it is slow in other sectors. Where the issue cannot be resolved at local level, or through the normal process, the Labour Court is available to become involved.
Will the Minister accept that the reduction in the working week acts as an incentive for creating employment? Does he agree that his Department should be actively supporting the trade union movement in its efforts to obtain a shorter working week?
Yes, and that is why during the negotiations on the Programme for National Revovery we supported the efforts by the trade unions to have that clause included. I should like to avail of this opportunity to urge both sides to come to an agreement on this issue. However, I do not have any reason to be unhappy at this stage.
Does the Minister realise that we have one of the highest average working weeks in Europe, more than 42 hours, and that, according to the latest OECD report, Norway 15 down to 29 hours per week? Will he agree that it is absurd to talk about reducing the working week to 39 hours? We should be targeting a 32-hour week which would eliminate perhaps three-quarters of our unemployment.
Is the Minister aware that out of 16 European countries Ireland is among five who have the 48-hour week enshrined in law? Will the Minister accept that it is time, as the negotiated working week tends to be in the region of 40 hours per week, to change the law? Will he accept that the 48-hour working week is out of date and that there is a need to update the law because of that?
Our laws are totally out of date in that regard and I am urging the social partners to agree on amendments. However, we must deal with more than regulations. In the old days we issued regulations for all kinds of things and it does not suit both sides to remove them all. As soon as I get a positive response I will set about removing about seven-eighths of what is in those old laws.
The Minister will be waiting a long time if he will not move until he gets consensus on this issue.