Vol. 566 No. 3
204 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will make a statement on the poor work conditions and wage rates of employees of a company (details supplied); and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an agreement phasing in proper seafarer's rates over four years negotiated by the International Transport Workers Federation and SIPTU has not been implemented by this company (details supplied). [13007/03]
Surveyors from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources conduct regular inspections of ships docked at Irish ports to ensure that foreign registered vessels, an issue that I understand is germane to the case to which the Deputy refers, are maintained and operated in compliance with international safety standards.
Pay and conditions above the minimum standards provided for in legislation can be pursued through negotiations between employers and employees, or their representatives. In the event that employers and employees cannot reach agreement, the expert services of the State's dispute settling machinery, as established under the Industrial Relations Acts 1946 to 2001, are available to assist the parties.
Employers and workers in any sector or enterprise can agree enhanced rates of pay and conditions of employment and can have that agreement registered with the Labour Court. When registered with the court these agreements are legally binding, not only on the parties to the agreement, but on others who are in the class, type or group to which the agreements are expressed to apply. The agreement referred to by the Deputy has not been registered with the Labour Court.
