Tony Killeen
Ceist:29 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the action, if any, he has taken to improve pay and working conditions in tourism-related employment; and the proposals, if any, he has in this regard. [18758/96]
Written Answers. - Tourism Industry Employment.
As in any sector, pay and working conditions in tourism-related employment are matters for negotiation and agreement between employees and employers and or their representatives. Where disputes arise the services of the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court are available to the parties.
Under the Industrial Relations Acts, 1946-90, trade unions or other organisations claiming to represent a category of workers may make application to the Labour Court for the establishment of a joint labour committee known as a JLC.
The function of a JLC is to draw up proposals for fixing minimum rates of pay and conditions of employment for the workers involved. When proposals submitted by a joint labour committee are confirmed by the Labour Court, through the making of an Employment Regulation Order, they become statutory minimum pay and conditions of employment for the workers concerned. There are already three JLCs in operation which impact on tourism-related employment, two cover the catering area and the third covers hotels. In the case of the hotel JLC, Cork City, Dublin City and Dún Laoghaire are not included.
EROs are enforced by the labour inspectorate of my Department. Routine inspections are undertaken to ensure that employers comply with the terms of the EROs. In addition, inspectors pursue reported breaches of these EROs.
In the final analysis any decision to set up a JLC or to extend the remit of a Committee would rest with the Labour Court.