James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 147: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the safeguards he will put in place to protect the jobs of Irish workers working on the Ennis bypass, whose main contractor is a company (details supplied), from the practice of forcing Irish employees to take wage cuts of up to €5 per hour in an effort to force them out of their jobs and replace them with lower paid foreign nationals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6201/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The wages and employment conditions of workers employed in the construction industry are governed and safeguarded by the Registered Employment Agreement (Construction Industry Wages and Conditions of Employment) Variation Order, which is enforced by the labour inspectorate. Labour inspectors are empowered to seek compliance with payment of the statutory minimum rates of pay specified in the agreement. However, if it is the case that certain workers are paid less than other workers for comparable work and there are no other relevant differentiating features it may be appropriate to refer the matter to the Equality Authority for consideration under equality legislation.

The enforcement of the provisions of a registered employment agreement may also be effected under the Industrial Relations Acts. A trade union, an association of employees or an individual employee may complain to the Labour Court that a particular employer is not complying with a registered employment agreement. If, after investigating a complaint, the court is satisfied that the employer is in breach of a registered employment agreement, it may order direct compliance with the agreement. Failure to comply with such an order is an offence punishable by a fine. If the Deputy is aware of any breaches of the registered employment agreement, he should contact the Labour Court or the labour inspectorate of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.