THE Minister of State for Commerce, Mr Pat Rabbitte, has asked the union Mandate to report to the Competitions Authority its allegations of "under the counter" payments by some publicans and other irregularities.
Delegates ink Waterford have alleged that a minority of publicans had adopted anti union policies and black economy practices.
Said Mr Rabbitte: "You have made very serious allegations under the counter payments, erosion of working conditions, deunionisation and so on. I would urge the union to participate in the Competition Authority investigation into the licensing trade report to it, give it the evidence and also submit any relevant evidence to other appropriate State authorities."
Mr Rabbitte advised Mandate against opposing plans to introduce more liberal licensing hours should the authority decide to recommend this as part of its investigation.
Longer opening hours would not necessarily threaten the terms and conditions of bar workers. These concerns could be dealt with in legislation.
Mandate's divisional organiser for the licensed trade, Mr Jim Moloney, told delegates that the Licensed Vintners Association and the Irish Business and Employers Confederation appeared to be "enraged" by unions standing up for their members' rights. He had been ordered out of certain Dublin bars for trying to talk to members about their problems.
In scenes reminiscent of Dublin in the early 1900s, "owners refused to let their employees even speak to a union representative".
"The incidents are a good illustration of life in the licensed trade for many bar staff today: anti union employers, a growth in illegal under the counter payments, longer hours and worsening conditions of employment.
"It is no coincidence that many, if not all, of these factors are present in bars that are enjoying record profits and in areas of the capital city that cater for the most lucrative end of the market."
He accused the Government of failing to police the sector. "I have never seen an official from any Department to notice if the 39 hour week is being observed or inspect the workplace. I've never seen one and my members haven't seen one either."
Mr Larry Yourell, of the Dublin distributive branch, said that in some bars "a lot of 16 and 17 year olds are working for £1.50p or £2 an hour. They often start at 7 p.m. and finish at 2 a.m.
"There is legislation but it is being flouted left, right and centre. These youngsters often come from families where there is a lot of unemployment and a few bob - goes a long way. It is up to the Government and the union to protect these young people."