Jack Wall
Ceist:113 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the rates of pay and subsistence that an agricultural worker should receive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6177/01]
Written Answers. - Agricultural Wages.
Rates of pay and other conditions of employment of certain agricultural workers are prescribed in an employment regulation order – ERO – made by the Labour Court on the basis of proposals from the Agricultural Workers Joint Lab our Committee. From 4 August 2000 the workers for whom the committee operates are legally entitled to rates of remuneration and conditions of employment which are not less favourable to them than those set out in the order. The statutory minimum remuneration, as prescribed in the order, is set out as follows:
Section 1 – Minimum time-rates other than those provided at Section 2.
|
Worker |
From 4 August 2000 |
||
|
Per Week |
Per Hour |
||
|
£ |
£ |
||
|
Experienced Adult Worker |
173.32 |
4.44 |
|
|
Under Age 18 |
122.16 |
3.13 |
Section 2 – Minimum time-rates for other categories of worker
|
Worker |
From 4 August 2000 |
||
|
Per Week |
Per Hour |
||
|
£ |
£ |
||
|
Job Entrant Ø |
|||
|
First year after date of first employment over age 18 |
138.88 |
3.56 |
|
|
2nd year after date of first employment over age 18 |
156.04 |
4.00 |
|
|
Worker in Structured Training Ø |
|||
|
First ? period (not exceeding 12 months) |
130.30 |
3.34 |
|
|
Second ? period (not exceeding 12 months) |
138.88 |
3.56 |
|
|
Third ? period (not exceeding 12 months) |
156.04 |
4.00 |
Ø These rates apply only to new job entrants, that is, persons taken on in this category after the making of this ERO.
Note: Training is formal structured training as defined in accordance with section 16 of the National Minimum Wage, Act, 2000.
ºThe Order does not cover workers in the mushroom growing industry or grooms if they are already covered by the terms of a registered employment agreement.
The Agriculture Workers Joint Labour Committee has formulated proposals to increase the above statutory minimum rates of pay. These proposals were published on 9 February, 2001 and the committee will consider written representations made to it within 21 days from that date.
To comply with the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act, 2000, the employment regulation order provides that if a worker receives board and lodgings, board only or lodgings only from his employer, the following amounts may be deducted from his pay:
£42.63for full board and lodgings per week*, or £6.09 per day.
£25.31for full board only per week*, or £3.62 per day.
£17.21for lodgings only per week*, or £2.47 per day.
* Per week means a seven day week
Rates of pay and conditions of employment, including subsistence, above the statutory minimum pay and conditions of employment, may be negotiated between employers, employees and their representatives.