asked the Minister for Labour if having consulted the ICTU in accordance with the provisions of the Conditions of Employment Act, 1936 he issued, despite the objection of the Congress, a permit authorising a company (name supplied) to employ female workers between the hours of 7 a.m. and 12 midnight; and on what grounds he so acted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment of Female Workers.
49.
The Minister for Labour is empowered under sections 29 and 52 of the Conditions of Employment Act, 1936, to make "Exclusion Regulations" to vary the hours prescribed for employment of female workers, that is, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. An application for the making of Exclusion Regulations to provide for working from 7 a.m. to 12 midnight was made in 1965 by this company. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions was consulted and objected on the grounds that the proposals were contrary to trade union policy and to general practice. I decided to make the regulations because the working of these hours facilitated the maintenance of competitive export production and trade unions had not opposed the same starting and finishing times by women workers in other industries.