David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 14, between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following:

"(e) the percentage of workers in the identified economic sector earning two thirds or less of median income;

(f) the pervasiveness of part time and/or short hour contracts in the identified economic sector,".

This issue was discussed during the debate on the National Minimum Wage (Low Commission Bill) 2015. It is important to keep a focus on these issues because a number of factors in the labour market are of concern to everybody, for example, the high levels of low pay. I do not have to give the Minister of State my view of it. Report after report from EUROSTAT to the OCED, Task, the CSO, all show that 20% of workers in the State are deemed to be in low-pay jobs. We also have a difficulty with precariousness, an increase of under-employment, part time work and short hour contracts, which are becoming much more prevalent in the labour market, by design more so by accident if we are honest. The section provides that when making a recommendation to the Minister, the Labour Court shall have regard to a number of factors, for example, the potential impact on levels of employment and unemployment in the applicable sector and the potential impact on competitiveness in the sector concerned. The provision reflects similar factors that the Low Pay Commission must also consider when it makes a recommendation to the Minister.

In order to be consistent with what the Low Pay Commission must do and the factors it must be asked to reflect on, we believe that is what should be done when looking at an REA. While these may be relevant factors, they reflect on an imbalance in terms of considerations that weigh heavily in favour of employers and encourage the increasing levels of sharp practice we see across the economy. Identifying and acknowledging high levels of low pay across the various sectors and the use of part-time or short hour contracts is highly relevant to one of the key objectives of this legislation, which is to promote harmonious relations between workers and employers. Is not that one of the reasons there is unrest in some sectors, such as the retail sector? We are aware of many companies which are exploiting their workers and of campaigns being fought by the trade unions involved to ensure that does not happen. When analysing data and information for the purpose of forming REAs it would make sense these issues of under unemployment, short hour contracts, levels of pay and low pay should also be considerations. I ask the Minister of State to support this amendment which has been supported by the trade unions who have been in contact with us.