Bruton to study Labour concerns over wage scheme reform

ENTERPRISE Minister Richard Bruton agreed to consider concerns of Labour TDs over his plans to overhaul wage schemes for low-paid workers.

Labour TDs met Mr Bruton yesterday ahead of his proposals going to Cabinet next week on changes to the Joint Labour Committee (JLC) wage-setting schemes.

Backbench TDs publicly said the meeting was very positive and had provided concerned Labour party members an opportunity to suggest how the reform could be handled fairly.

But privately, party TDs are worried about the planned changes that could reduce overtime, Sunday and premium pay for up to 250,000 low-paid workers.

Speaking in Dublin after the meeting, Mr Bruton said: “I was able to explain the significance of this in a much broader range of proposals from government to improve job opportunities.

“It’s important to understand the context of this reform. It’s part of a suite of policies that include reform of legal costs and upward-only rent reviews.”

The FG minister said he wanted to reform the system but also retain parts of it to help protect workers.

The Cabinet is set to hear the minister’s JLC reform plans on Tuesday. This follows his talks with trade unions and representatives from the catering, cleaning, hotel and security sectors among areas.

Privately, Labour TDs claim he is unlikely to get the support of all ministers next week, ahead of plans for legislation on the reforms in the autumn.

But Mr Bruton said: “There are two very extreme views. Some people wanting no reform whatsoever within broader groups discussing this. Others wanting this system abolished. My job is to steer a middle course between those.”

Labour party sources said members were sceptical about the minister’s claims that reforms would help create jobs. The recent Duffy-Walsh report on the system concluded that special hourly rates should remain and reducing pay rates was “unlikely to have a substantial effect on employment”.

Mr Bruton said yesterday that he would consider the Labour party concerns on the reforms before going to Cabinet next week.