Horticulture group calls for lower wage structures and stricter rules

A COMMITTEE representing horticulture industry stakeholders is calling for the abolition of joint labour committee (JLC) wage structures, a statutory retail code of practice and the retention of state grants for the sector.

The Horticulture Action Group has sent a 25-page report calling on Agriculture Minister of State Shane McEntee to bring Irish labour costs in line with those in Britain, where horticulture workers earn 26% less per hour.

Mr McEntee said he will draw the issue of JLC wage setting to the attention of Jobs and Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton. He also said the endorsed the group’s recommendations in relation to creating a more level playing field in the retail sector.

The horticulture group said Irish growers of potatoes, vegetables and fruit are concerned at the dominant role super-markets have in dictating the price and quantities of produce marketed.

The group wants the Government to introduce a mechanism limiting own-brand products to 50% of retail shelf space, to reintroduce the ban on below-cost selling and the appointment of an ombudsman to oversee its provisions.

Mr McEntee said: “Minister Bruton is considering a major report on the role of supermarkets, and I will be writing to him emphasising the importance of greater statutory oversight on retail multiples because of their negative impact on an industry that supports 6,000 full-time equivalent jobs in primary production and a further 10,000 in value-added jobs.

“Collaboration and co-operation between producers increases their purchasing power for inputs as well as their selling power to the big supermarket chains. I welcome their recommendation that state grant funding to the industry should continue and I will be working hard to achieve that in the current Government Expenditure Review.”

The minimum wage in Britain is £5.93 (€6.70) per hour. Ireland’s agricultural JLC recently agreed to defer until January 2012 an increase scheduled for July in experienced adult pay rates, which was due to rise from €9.10 to €9.33.

The Employment Regulation Order (ERO) affects all agricultural workers including gardeners, horticulture workers, sports grounds workers and those who rear and train animals.

SIPTU said: “The new ERO involves a very effective and flexible approach to dealing with the needs of the industry while at the same time protecting the most vulnerable workers in the state.

“It also provides, for the first time, for the right of agricultural workers to be represented by a trade union on all matters connected to the application of its terms.”