The system for setting pay for thousands of workers in various sectors across the economy needs to be radically overhauled, the Minister for Jobs and Enterprise Richard Bruton has said.
In a speech in Athlone this afternoon, Mr Bruton indicated that the role of bodies known as joint labour committees in setting pay rates in respect of Sunday working needed to be address as a matter of urgency.
He said the issue of the committees applying a range of different overtime regimes need to be simplified.
He also signalled that the number of such committees should be reduced and provisions should be made to allow them to become more flexible in responding to changing circumstances.
Between 190,000 and 300000 workers in various parts of the economy have their pay and conditions set by JLCs. These include hotel workers, hairdressers, contract cleaners and catering staff.
Mr Bruton said he would be bringing proposals in this area to Cabinet next week.