Written Answers. - Young Part-time Workers.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:
77
Mr. R. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Labour
whether he has satisfied himself that the pay levels and hours worked by young part-time workers in the retail business are not giving rise to situations of exploitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Deputy will be aware that I have recently implemented the Worker Protection (Regular Part-Time Employees) Act, 1991. This Act extends the protection of a wide range of labour legislation to part-time workers who are normally expected to work for at least eight hours a week and who have completed 13 weeks service.
Young workers, including young workers in the retail business, are afforded further protection under the terms of the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1977. This Act contains provisions about the minimum age for entry into employment, sets limits to the working hours of young people, provides for rest intervals and prohibits night work. All complaints about infringements of this Act are investigated fully by my Department. In addition, inspections are carried out on a routine basis by the labour inspectorate of my Department in establishments where young workers are employed to ensure compliance with protective legislation.
On the question of pay levels, I should mention that the Labour Court has made an Establishment Order setting up a Joint Labour Committee for the Retail Grocery and Allied Trades. The committee will draw up proposals for fixing rates of pay and conditions of employment and when these proposals have been ratified by the Labour Court through the making of an Employment Regulation Order, they will become statutory minimum rates of pay and statutory conditions of employment for the workers, including part-time workers, covered by the order.
In addition, employers who come within the scope of the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Footwear, Drapery and Allied Trades Registered Employment Agreement are already required to pay a statutory minimum wage to their workers.
My Department have power to enforce statutory minimum rates of pay under Employment Regulation Orders and Registered Employment Agreements and these rates of pay apply to both full-time and part-time workers. When an Employment Regulation Order has been made in respect of the retail grocery and allied trades, the order will be enforced by my Department.
