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Uimhir 26 de 1946.
AN tACHT CAIDRIMH THIONSCAIL, 1946.
(An tiontó oifigiúil)
[27ú Lúnasa, 1946.]
CUID I.
Reamhraiteach agus Ginearalta.
Gearr-theideal.
1.—Féadfar an tAcht Caidrimh Thionscail, 1946, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Tosach feidhme.
2.—Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh an lá a ceapfar chuige sin le hordú ón Aire.
Mínithe go ginearálta.
3.—San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn an abairt “an Chúirt” an Chúirt Oibreachais;
ciallaíonn an abairt “an tAire” an tAire Tionnscail agus Tráchtála;
ciallaíonn rud a bheith “ordaithe” é a bheith ordaithe le rialacháin arna ndéanamh ag an Aire faoin Acht seo;
tá leis an abairt “comhchomhairle thionscail chláraithe” an bhrí a bheirtear di le halt 59 den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn an abairt “aighneas ceirde” aon aighneas nó diospóid idir fhostóirí agus oibrithe nó idir oibrithe agus oibrithe maidir le fostaíocht nó neamhfhostaíocht, nó le téarmaí fostaíochta, nó le coinníollacha fostaíochta, dhuine ar bith;
ciallaíonn an focal “ceardchumann” ceardchumann ag a mbeidh ceadúnas margántaíochta arna dheonadh faoin Acht Ceardchumann, 1941 (Uimh. 22 de 1941).
“oibrí”.
4.—(1) San Acht seo (ach amháin Cuid VI) ciallaíonn an focal “oibrí” duine ar bith ceithre bliana déag d'aois nó os a chionn a mbeidh conradh déanta aige nó a bheas ag obair faoi chonradh le fostóir pé acu conradh do shaothar láimhe nó d'obair chléireachais nó eile é, agus pé acu sainráite nó intuigthe nó ó bhéal nó i scríbhinn dó, agus pé acu conradh seirbhíse nó príntíseachta é nó conradh chun aon obair nó saothar a dhéanamh go pearsanta, seachas—
(a) duine a bheas ar fostú ag an Stát nó faoin Stát, nó
(b) múinteoir i meánscoil, nó
(c) múinteoir i scoil náisiúnta, nó
(d) duine a bheas ar fostú ag údarás áitiúil in aon oifig nó fostaíocht, nó
(e) oifigeach nó seirbhíseach do choiste gairm-oideachais, nó
(f) oifigeach nó seirbhíseach do choiste talmhaíochta, nó
(g) oifigeach do choiste freastail scoile, nó
(h) oibrí talmhaíochta do réir bhrí an Achta um Páigh Thalmhaíochta, 1936 (Uimh. 53 de 1936).
(2) Chun críocha an ailt seo, is údarás áitiúil gach ceann de na comhlachta seo a leanas (pé acu corpraithe nó neamhchorpraithe dhó)—
(a) comhairle chontae, bardas contae-bhuirge nó buirge eile, comhairle cheantair uirbigh, údarás cúnaimh phoiblí, coimisinéirí baile, údarás sláintíochta poirt,
(b) coiste nó comhchoiste nó bord nó comhbhord arna cheapadh (pé acu roimh an Acht seo a rith nó dá éis é) le reacht nó faoi reacht chun feadhma nó aon chuid d'fheadhma comhlachta nó comhlachtaí acu sin a luaitear i mír (a) den fho-alt seo a chomhlíonadh, agus
(c) coiste nó comhchoiste nó bord nó comhbhord de chomhlacht nó de chomhlachta, nó arna cheapadh ag comhlacht nó ag comhlachta, acu sin a luaitear i míreanna (a) agus (b) den fho-alt seo, ach gan coiste gairm-oideachais, coiste talmhaíochta ná coiste freastail scoile a áireamh.
Rialacháin.
5.—Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh maidir le haon ní dá dtagartar san Acht seo mar ní ordaithe.
Rialacháin a chur faoi bhráid Tithe an Oireachtais.
6.—Gach rialachán a déanfar faoin Acht seo leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus, má dhéanann ceachtar Teach, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífeas an Teach sin tar éis an rialachán a chur faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag cur an rialacháin ar neamhbhrí, beidh an rialachán arna chur ar neamhbhrí dá réir sin, ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin rialachán sin.
Ionchúisimh ag an Aire.
7.—Féadfaidh an tAire cion faoi aon alt nó fo-alt san Acht seo a ionchúiseamh.
Athghairm.
8.—Déantar leis seo na hachtacháin a sonraítear sa dara colún den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Acht seo a athghairm a mhéid a sonraítear sa tríú colún den Sceideal sin.
Costais.
9.—Na costais faoi na raghfar cun an tAcht seo a riaradh déanfar, a mhéid a cheadós an tAire Airgeadais, iad a íoc as airgead a sholáthrós an tOireachtas.
CUID II.
Al Chuirt Oibreachais.
An Chúirt Oibreachais a bhunú.
10.—(1) Beidh comhlacht ann, dá ngairmfear an Chúirt Oibreachais, chun na feadhma a ceaptar dó leis an Acht seo a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Beidh an Chúirt comhdhéanta de chathaoirleach (dá ngairmtear an cathaoirleach san Acht seo) agus ceathrar gnáthchomhaltaí (dá ngairmtear na gnáthchomhaltaí san Acht seo) ar comhaltaí oibrithe beirt acu agus ar comhaltaí fostóirí beirt acu.
(3) Is é an tAire a cheapfas an cathaoirleach agus beidh sé i seilbh oifige ar pé téarmaí a chinnfeas an tAire agus é á cheapadh.
(4) Déanfaidh an tAire, maidir le gach duine is comhalta oibrithe, comheagras a bheas ionadaitheach do cheardchumainn oibrithe a shonrú chun duine a ainmniú chun a cheaptha, agus, maidir le gach comhalta fostóirí, ceardchumann fostóirí a shonrú chun duine a ainmniú chun a cheaptha, agus ceapfaidh an tAire an duine a hainmneofar amhlaidh.
(5) Más rud é, nuair a bheas ceapachán áirithe comhaltaí oibrithe (nó, i gcás corr-fholúntais, comhalta oibrithe) le déanamh—
(a) go mbeidh níos mó aon chomheagras amháin ann a bheas ionadaitheach do cheardchumainn oibrithe, agus
(b) gur dóigh leis an Aire ná fuil sé inmhianuithe an ceapachán a dhéanamh faoi fho-alt (4) den alt seo,
féadfaidh sé, le rialacháin, a dhearbhú gur faoin bhfo-alt seo a déanfar an ceapachán, in ionad é a dhéanamh faoin bhfo-alt sin (4), agus air sin beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas—
(i) iarrfaidh an tAire ar cheardchumainn oibrithe agus ar chomheagrais a bheas ionadaitheach do cheardchumainn oibrithe daoine a ainmniú chun a gceaptha, agus
(ii) déanfaidh sé an ceapachán as na daoine a hainmneofar amhlaidh.
(6) Ní bhainfidh Achta Rialuithe na Stát-Sheirbhíse, 1924 agus 1926, le hoifig chathaoirligh na Cúirte ná le hoifig ghnáthchomhalta den Chúirt.
(7) mura dtarlaí é a éag, nó a éirí as oifig nó a chur as oifig, beidh gnáthchomhalta i seilbh oifige—
(a) más faoi fho-alt (4) den alt seo a ceapfar é, go ceann pé tréimhse, nach sia ná cúig bliana, a chinnfeas an tAire agus é á cheapadh,
(b) más faoi fho-alt (5) den alt seo a ceapfar é, go ceann cúig bliana nó, má cúlghairmtear nó má cuirtear ar neamhbhrí roimhe sin na rialacháin ar dá mbuaidh a ceapadh é, go dtí go ndéanfar an chúlghairm nó an cur ar neamhbhrí sin.
(8) Féadfaidh an tAire gnáthchomhalta a chur as oifig ar chúiseanna a luafar ach, má bhíonn an comheagras a d'ainmnigh é ar marthain, ní féidir sin a dhéanamh gan toiliú an chomheagrais sin.
(9) Íocfar leis an gcathaoirleach agus leis na gnáthchomhaltaí pé luach saothair agus liúntais a chinnfeas an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(10) Bhéarfaidh an cathaoirleach iomlán a chuid ama d'obair na Cúirte.
(11) Ní bheidh gnáthchomhalta i seilbh oifige iontaobhaí, cisteora, rúnaí ná aon oifige eile i gceardchumann ná ní bheidh ina chomhalta d'aon choiste ceardchumainn ná ní bheidh i seilbh aon oifige ná fostaíochta a choimeádfadh é ó bheith ar fáil i gcónaí i gcóir oibre na Cúirte.
(12) Ní ceapfar duine ina chathaoirleach ar an gCúirt ná ina chomhalta den Chúirt mura bhfuil gnáthchónaí air sa Stát.
Ranna na Cúirte.
11.—Aon uair is dóigh leis an gcathaoirleach é a bheith fóirstineach, d'fhonn gnó na Cúirte a dhéanamh go tapaidh, go ngníomhódh an Chúirt ina ranna, féadfaidh sé ordachán a thabhairt dá réir sin agus, go dtí go gcúlghairmfidh sé a ordachán—
(a) beidh ranna sa Chúirt mar leanas—
(i) céadroinn, a bheas comhdhéanta den chathaoirleach (agus is eisean a bheas ina chathaoirleach ar an roinn) agus de chomhalta oibrithe agus comhalta fostóirí arna roghnú ag an gcathaoirleach, agus
(ii) dara roinn, a bheas comhdhéanta den leaschathaoirleach (agus is eisean a bheas ina chathaoirleach ar an roinn), den chomhalta oibrithe eile agus den chomhalta fostóirí eile;
(b) is é an cathaoirleach a cheapfas do gach roinn an gnó a bheas le déanamh aici;
(c) chun críche an ghnótha a ceapfar di amhlaidh, beidh ag gach roinn cumhachta uile na Cúirte agus beidh ag cathaoirleach na roinne cumhachta uile an chathaoirligh agus léireófar tagairtí san Acht seo don Chúirt agus don chathaoirleach mar thagairtí a fholaíos tagairtí do roinn agus do chathaoirleach roinne, faoi seach.
Leaschathaoirleach.
12.—(1) Déanfaidh an tAire ionadaí don chathaoirleach a cheapadh a bheas i seilbh oifige ar pé téarmaí a chinnfeas an tAire agus é á cheapadh.
(2) Má bhíonn an cathaoirleach as láthair, gníomhóidh an leaschathaoirleach ina ionad agus léireofar tagairtí san Acht seo don chathaoirleach mar thagairtí a fholaíos tagairtí don leaschathaoirleach agus é ag gníomhú amhlaidh.
(3) Ní ceapfar duine ar bith ina leas-chathaoirleach mura bhfuil gnáthchónaí air sa Stát.
(4) Féadfar pé táillí a chinnfeas an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, a íoc leis an leas-chathaoirleach.
Cláraitheoir agus oifigigh agus seirbhísigh na Cúirte.
13.—(1) (a) Déanfaidh an tAire abhcóide cleachtach nó aturnae cleachtach a mbeidh seasamh deich mbliana ar a laghad aige a cheapadh ina chláraitheoir don Chúirt.
(b) Chun críocha míre (a) den fho-alt seo, is tuigthe gur cleachtadh mar abhcóide nó aturnae seirbhís i bpost sa Stát-Sheirbhís ná raibh incheaptha chuige ach abhcóidí agus aturnaethe.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an gCúirt agus le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, pé oifigigh agus seirbhísigh don Chúirt a cheapadh is dóigh leis is gá chun cabhrú leis an gCúirt i gcomhlíonadh a feadhma.
(3) Beidh cláraitheoir agus oifigigh agus seirbhísigh na Cúirte i seilbh oifige ar pé téarmaí, agus gheobhaid pé luach saothair, a chinnfeas an tAire Airgeadais.
Meisiúnaithe teicniúla.
14.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chúirt meisiúnaithe teicniúla a cheapadh chun cabhrú léi in aon ní a bhainfeas le himeachta i láthair na Cúirte.
(2) Déanfar pé táillí a chinnfeas an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, a íoc le meisiúnaithe teicniúla.
Na háiteanna do shuíonna na Cúirte agus chun doiciméidí a lóisteáil.
15.—(1) Is i mBaile Átha Cliath a bheas ceann-cheathrú na Cúirte, ach féadfaidh an Chúirt suí in áiteanna eile sa Stát.
(2) Féadfaidh an Chúirt áiteanna oiriúnacha a shonrú ina bhféadfar doiciméidí don Chúirt a lóisteáil.
Oifigigh idirréitigh.
16.—Féadfaidh an Chúirt oifigigh don Chúirt a cheapadh chun gníomhú mar Oifigigh Idir-Réitigh.
Breatha na cúirte a bheith ina mbreatha críochnaitheacha.
17.—Ní luífidh aon achomarc chun Cúirte dlí i gcoinne breithe na Cúirte ar aon ní faoina dlínse.
Séala na Cúirte.
18.—(1) Beidh séala oifigiúil ag an gCúirt a dtabharfar aird air i gcúrsaí breithiúnais.
(2) Déanfar séala na Cúirte, ar é a chur ar aon doiciméid, a dhílse-dheimhniú le síniú cathaoirligh nó cláraitheora na Cúirte nó le síniú duine a mbeidh údarás aige ón gCúirt é a dhílse-dheimhniú.
(3) Gach doiciméid a airbheartós, ordú, dámhachtain nó breith eile ón gCúirt a chur in iúl agus a bheith séalaithe le séala na Cúirte arna dhílse-dheimhniú do réir an ailt seo, is tuigthe, mura gcruthaítear a mhalairt, é a bheith séalaithe amhlaidh go cuibhe agus go dleathach agus, ach amháin mar adúradh, glacfar i bhfianaise é mar ordú, dámhachtain nó breith den tsórt sin gan a thuilleadh cruthúnais agus, go háirithe, gan cruthúnas ar aon tsíniú a bheas ar an doiciméid sin chun críche an dílse-dheimhnithe sin agus gan cruthúnas ar oifig ná údarás an duine a n-airbheartóidh an síniú sin gurb é a shíniú é.
Cruthúnas ar orduithe ón gCúirt.
19.—(1) Bainfidh alt 4 den Acht um Fhianaise Scríbhinne, 1925 (Uimh. 24 de 1925), le gach ordú ón gCúirt.
(2) Leasaítear leis seo fo-alt (1) d'alt 6 den Acht um Fhianaise Scríbhinne, 1925, trí orduithe ón gCúirt a chur leis na doiciméidí oifigiúla a luaitear sa bhfo-alt sin, agus beidh éifeacht ag an alt sin 6 dá réir sin.
Nós imeachta na Cúirte.
20.—(1) Faoi réir ailt 11 den Acht seo agus fo-ailt (2) den alt seo, is cúigear is córam do chruinniú nó suí den Chúirt.
(2) Féadfaidh an cathaoirleach a ordú, chun ní áirithe a bhreithniú, an Chúirt a bheith comhdhéanta den chathaoirleach agus beirt ghnáthchomhalta a roghnós sé, eadhon, comhalta oibrithe agus comhalta fostóirí, agus, má ordaíonn an cathaoirleach amhlaidh, ní ghníomhóidh aon chomhalta eile mar chomhalta den Chúirt i leith an ní sin.
(3) I gcás—
(a) ina n-éireoidh aon cheist faoin Acht seo ag cruinniú nó suí den Chúirt, agus
(b) nach féidir le comhaltaí na Cúirte comhaontú ar chinneadh na ceiste,
beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas—
(i) má chomhaontaíonn an tromlach de na gnáthchomhaltaí ar chinneadh na ceiste, cinnfear an cheist dá réir sin,
(ii) mura gcomhaontaí tromlach de na gnáthchomhaltaí, ach go gcomhaontóidh tromlach de na comhaltaí uile, cinnfear an cheist dá réir sin,
(iii) in aon chás eile, cinnfear an cheist do réir tuairime an chathaoirligh.
(4) Is é an cathaoirleach nó pé comhalta eile a údarós an cathaoirleach chuige sin a chraolfas breith na Cúirte, agus ní craolfar aon tuairim eile, ag aontú nó ag easaontú leis an mbreith sin, ná ní nochtfar tuairim ar bith eile den tsórt sin a bheith ann.
(5) Faoi réir an ailt seo, féadfaidh an Chúirt rialacha a dhéanamh chun a himeachta a rialú.
(6) Féadfar socrú a dhéanamh le rialacha faoin alt seo do na cásanna ina bhféadfaidh daoine teacht i láthair na Cúirte trí chomhairleach nó aturnae agus, ach amháin mar a socrófar amhlaidh, ní bheidh duine ar bith i dteideal teacht i láthair na Cúirte trí chomhairleach nó aturnae.
(7) Féadfar an Chúirt aon tsuí nó aon chuid de shuí a dhéanamh go príobháideach.
Cumhacht na Cúirte chun fínnéithe a thoghairm, etc.
21.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, chun críocha aon imeacht ina láthair faoin Acht seo, gach ní nó aon ní acu seo a leanas a dhéanamh—
(a) fínnéithe a thoghairm chun teacht in a láthair,
(b) na fínnéithe a thiocfas ina láthair a scrúdú faoi mhionn (a n-údaraítear leis seo do chomhalta den Chúirt nó do chláraitheoir na Cúirte daoine a chur faoi),
(c) a cheangal ar aon fhínné den tsórt sin aon doiciméid faoina chumhacht nó faoina urláimh a thaispeáint don Chúirt.
(2) Beidh fínne i láthair na Cúirte i dteideal na saoirsí agus na bpríbhléidí céanna a mbeadh sé ina dteideal dá mba fhínne i láthair na hArd-Chúirte é.
(3) I gcás duine ar bith—
(a) is duine a bheas arna thoghairm go cuibhe a láthair na Cúirte mar fhínne, dá fhaillí teacht i láthair, nó
(b) is duine a bheas i láthair mar fhínné, do dhiúltú mionn a ghlacadh a cheanglós an Chúirt air go dlíthiúil a ghlacadh, nó aon doiciméid faoina chumhacht nó faoina urláimh a thaispeáint a cheanglós an chúirt air go dlíthiúil a thaispeáint, nó aon cheist a fhreagairt a cheanglós an Chúirt air go dlíthiúil a fhreagairt,
bheidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná deich bpuint a chur air.
(4) I gcás fínne a theacht i láthair na Cúirte de bhun toghairme faoin alt seo, féadfaidh an tAire, más oiriúnúach leis, pé suim a chinnfeas an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, a íoc leis i leith costas faoina ndeachaigh sé maidir lena theacht i láthair.
Toirmeasc ar eolas a nochtadh.
22.—Ní dhéanfaidh an Chúirt aon eolas a bheas faighte aici, i gcúrsa aon imeacht ina láthair faoin Acht seo, i dtaobh aon cheardchumainn nó i dtaobh gnótha dhuine ar bith, is eolas ná beidh ar fáil ach amháin ó fhianaise a tugadh sna himeachta, a chur in aon tuarascáil gan toiliú an cheardchumainn nó na ndaoine a bheas i gceist, ná ní dhéanfaidh aon chomhalta den Chúirt ná cláraitheoir ná duine ar bith d'oifigigh nó de sheirbhísigh na Cúirte ná duine ar bith a mbeidh baint aige leis na himeachta aon eolas den tsórt sin a nochtadh gan an toiliú sin bheith aige.
Tuarascála, etc., ón gCúirt.
23.—(1) Déanfaidh an Chúirt, a luaithe is féidir tar éis deireadh gach bliana, tuarascáil ghinearálta (dá ngairmtear tuarascáil bhliantúil san alt seo) a thabhairt don Rialtas ar a himeachta faoin Acht seo i gcaitheamh na bliana sin.
(2) Cuirfidh an Chúirt i ngach tuarascáil bhliantúil aon nótaí is mian léi a dhéanamh ar threo gluaiseachta rátaí páighe.
(3) Beidh sonraí i dtuarascáil bhliantúil ar gach comhchomhairle thionscail chláraithe maraon le hainm rúnaí na comhairle agus seoladh a príomh-oifige.
(4) Leagfar cóip de gach tuarascáil bhliantúil faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
(5) Bhéarfaidh an Chúirt don Aire, a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta, cóip de gach ordú, moladh agus dámhachtain a dhéanfas an Chúirt faoin Acht seo.
E a bheith de dhualgas ar an gCúirt, nithe áirithe, maidir le coinníollacha fostaíochta, a chuirfeas an tAire faoina bráid a bhreithniú.
24.—Breithneoidh an Chúirt aon ní a chuirfeas an tAire faoina bráid i dtaobh na gcoinníollacha fostaíochta atá ar gnáthchleachtadh maidir le hoibrithe d'aon aicme agus lena bhfostóirí agus bhéarfaidh tuarascáil ar an ní sin don Aire maraon le pé molta (más ann) is cuibhe léi, agus breithneoidh an tAire aon tuarascáil agus moladh a bhéarfar dó amhlaidh.
CUID III.
Comhaontuithe maidir le Paigh agus Coinniollacha Fostaiochta.
Mínithe chun críocha Coda III.
25.—Sa Chuid seo—
ciallaíonn an abairt “comhaontú fostaíochta” comhaontú, i dtaobh luach saothair nó coinníollacha fostaíochta oibrithe d'aon aicme nó cineál nó grúpa, arna dhéanamh idir ceardchumann oibrithe agus fostóir nó ceardchumann fostóirí nó arna dhéanamh, ag cruinniú de chomhchomhairle thionscail chláraithe, idir chomhaltaí den chomhairle a bheas ionadaitheach d'oibrithe agus comhaltaí den chomhairle a bheas ionadaitheach d'fhostóirí;
ciallaíonn an abairt “an clár” an Clár de Chomhaontuithe Fostaíochta;
ciallaíonn an focal “cláraithe”, maidir le comhaontú fostaíochta, cláraithe de thuras na huaire sa chlár;
ciallaíonn an abairt “comhaontú fostaíochta cláraithe” comhaontú fostaíochta a bheas cláraithe de thuras na huaire sa chlár.
An Clár de Chomhaontuithe Fostaíochta.
26.—Coimeádfaidh an Chúirt clár dá ngairmtear an Clár de Chomhaontuithe Fostaíochta.
Comhaontuithe fostaíochta a chlárú.
27.—(1) Féadfaidh aon pháirtí i gcomhaontú fostaíochta a iarraidh ar an gCúirt an comhaontú a chlárú sa chlár.
(2) Beidh cóip den chomhaontú ag gabháil le gach iarratas á iarraidh comhaontú fostaíochta a chlárú.
(3) Ar iarratas a dhéanamh go cuibhe chun na Cúirte á iarraidh comhaontú fostaíochta a chlárú, déanfaidh an Chúirt, faoi réir forál an ailt seo, an comhaontú a chlárú sa chlár más deimhin léi—
(a) i gcás comhaontuithe ná beidh ann ach dhá pháirtí, go dtoilíonn an dá pháirtí é a chlárú agus, i gcás comhaontuithe a mbeidh níos mó ná dhá pháirtí ann, go bhfuil comhaontú substainteach imeasc na bpáirtithe atá ionadaitheach do leasa oibrithe agus leasa fostóirí, faoi seach, go gclárófaí é,
(b) go n-abartar sa chomhaontú go mbaineann sé le gach oibrí d'aicme nó cineál nó grúpa áirithe agus lena bhfostóirí i gcás inar deimhin leis an gCúirt gur gnáth-chleacht inmhianuithe é nó go bhfuil sé fóirstineach comhaontú ar leith a bheith ann don aicme nó don chineál nó don ghrúpa sin,
(c) go bhfuil na páirtithe sa chomhaontú ionadaitheach go substainteach do na hoibrithe agus na fostóirí sin,
(d) ná fuil ar intinn sa chomhaontú srian neamhchuibhe a chur le fostaíocht i gcoitinne nó le fostaíocht oibrithe d'aicme nó cineál nó grúpa áirithe ná a áirithiú go gcoimeádfar in úsáid sásra nó modhanna oibre atá neamhéifeachtach nó ró-chostasach nó go gcosnófar sin,
(e) go bhforáltar sa chomhaontú, má tharlaíonn aighneas ceirde idir oibrithe lena mbaineann an comhaontú agus a bhfostóirí, ná déanfar stailc ná frithdhúnadh go dtí go mbeidh an t-aighneas arna chur dá réiteach trí mhargántaíocht sa tslí a bheas sonraithe sa chomhaontú, agus.
(f) go bhfuil an comhaontú i bhfoirm atá oiriúnach chun a chláruithe.
(4) I gcás iarratas a dhéanamh chun na Cúirte á iarraidh comhaontú fostaíochta a chlárú, ordóidh an Chúirt do na páirtithe sin ann a shonrós an Chúirt sonraí áirithe i dtaobh an chomhaontuithe a fhoilsiú sa tslí is dóigh leis an gCúirt is fearr a chuirfeadh an t-iarratas in iúl do gach duine lena mbaineann.
(5) (a) Ní chláróidh an Chúirt comhaontú fostaíochta go ceann ceithre lá déag tar éis sonraí i dtaobh an chomhaontuithe a fhoilsiú do réir fo-ailt (4) den alt seo.
(b) Má gheibheann an Chúirt, laistigh den tréimhse sin, fógra i dtaobh agóide i gcoinne an comhaontú a chlárú, déanfaidh an Chúirt, mura measa sí an agóid a bheith suaibhreosach, an agóid a bhreithniú agus bhéarfaidh éisteacht do gach páirtí a bhfeicfear don Chúirt leas a bheith acu ann agus ar mian leo éisteacht a fháil, agus más deimhin leis an gCúirt, tar éis an bhreithnithe sin, ná fuil an comhaontú do réir na gceanglas a sonraítear i bhfo-alt (3) den alt seo, diúltóidh an Chúirt an comhaontú a chlárú.
(6) Ní dhéanfaidh comhaontú fostaíochta cláraithe dochar d'aon chearta, maidir le rátaí luach saothair nó coinníollacha fostaíochta, a bheirtear d'aon oibrí le Cuid eile den Acht seo nó le haon Acht eile.
Comhaontú fostaíochta cláraithe a athrú.
28.—(1) Má foráltar i gcomhaontú fostaíochta cláraithe go bhféadfar an comhaontú a athrú do réir an ailt seo, féadfaidh aon pháirtí sa chomhaontú a iarraidh ar an gCúirt é a athrú maidir lena bhaint le haon oibrí nó oibrithe lena mbaineann sé.
(2) I gcás iarratas a dhéanamh faoin alt seo á iarraidh comhaontú a athrú, beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas:—
(a) breithneoidh an Chúirt an t-iarratas agus bhéarfaidh éisteacht do gach duine a bhfeicfear don Chúirt leas a bheith aige ann agus ar mian leis éisteacht a fháil;
(b) tar éis an bhreithnithe sin, féadfaidh an Chúirt, mar is oiriúnach léi, diúltú don iarratas nó ordú a dhéanamh ag athrú an chomhaontuithe i pé slí is cuibhe léi;
(c) má dhéanann an Chúirt ordú ag athrú an chomhaontuithe, beidh éifeacht, amhail ó pé dáta, nach luaithe ná dáta an orduithe, a shonrós an Chúirt san ordú, ag an gcomhaontú arna athrú amhlaidh.
Clárú a chealú.
29.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chúirt clárú comhaontuithe fhostaíochta a chealú ar chomhiarratas a fháil ó na páirtithe uile ann más deimhin leis an gCúirt gur aontaigh na páirtithe sin uile go toildheonach lena chealú.
(2) Féadfaidh an Chúirt clárú comhaontuithe fhostaíochta a chealú más deimhin léi go bhfuil athrú chomh mór sin tagtha, ó cláraíodh an comhaontú, ar chúrsaí na ceirde nó an ghnótha lena mbaineann sé nach inmhianuithe é a choimeád cláraithe.
(3) Mura mbíonn i gcomhaontú fostaíochta cláraithe foráil i dtaobh a ré feidhme nó i dtaobh a fhorceannta, féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar dhá mhí dhéag a bheith caite ó dháta an chláruithe, an clárú a chealú ar gach páirtí ann a bheas ionadaitheach d'oibrithe nó d'fhostóirí dá iarraidh sin tar éis fógra sé mhí a thabhairt don Chúirt.
(4) (a) Má deirtear i gcomhaontú fostaíochta cláraithe gur comhaontú go ceann tréimhse sonraithe é, leanfaidh sé, má bhíonn sé i bhfeidhm i gceann na tréimhse sin agus d'ainneoin aon fhorála go scoirfidh sé d'éifeacht a bheith aige ar an tréimhse sin a bheith caite, de bheith i bhfeidhm go dtí go gcealófar a chlárú do réir na Coda seo.
(b) Féadfaidh an Chúirt clárú comhaontuithe fhostaíochta, a coimeádfar i bhfeidhm faoi mhír (a) den fho-alt seo, a chealú ar aon pháirtí ann dá iarraidh sin, tar éis fógra trí mhí a thabhairt don Chúirt, agus toiliú chuige sin a bheith aige ó gach páirtí ann a bheas ionadaitheach d'oibrithe nó d'fhostóirí.
(5) I gcás comhaontú fostaíochta cláraithe a fhorceannadh ag aon pháirtí ann do réir a théarmaí, déanfaidh an Chúirt, ar fhógra a fháil i dtaobh an fhorceannta, an clárú a chealú.
Conartha seirbhíse a oiriúnú de dhroim comhaontú fostaíochta a chlárú.
30.—(1) Faid a leanfas comhaontú fostaíochta cláraithe de bheith cláraithe, beidh feidhm aige, chun críocha an ailt seo, i gcás gach oibrí den aicme nó den chineál nó den ghrúpa a ndéarfar ann feidhm a bheith aige maidir leis, agus i gcás a fhostóra, d'ainneoin nach páirtí sa chomhaontú an t-oibrí nó an fostóir sin nó ná beadh sé, mura mbeadh an fo-alt seo, faoi cheangal aige.
(2) Má foráltar i gconradh idir oibrí d'aicme nó cineál nó grúpa lena mbaineann comhaontú fostaíochta cláraithe agus a fhostóir go n-íocfar luach saothair ar ráta (dá ngairmtear ráta an chonartha sa bhfo-alt seo) is ísle ná an ráta (dá ngairmtear ráta an chomhaontuithe sa bhfo-alt seo) a foráltar leis an gcomhaontú sin agus a bhaineas leis an oibrí sin, beidh éifeacht ag an gconradh, i leith aon tréimhse a mbeidh an comhaontú cláraithe ar a feadh, amhail is dá gcuirtí ráta an chomhaontuithe in ionad ráta an chonartha.
(3) Má foráltar, i gconradh idir oibrí d'aicme nó cineál nó grúpa lena mbaineann comhaontú fostaíochta cláraithe agus a fhostóir, coinníollacha fostaíochta (dá ngairmtear coinníollacha an chonartha sa bhfo-alt seo) ná fuil chomh fábharach leis na coinníollacha (dá ngairmtear coinníollacha an chomhaontuithe sa bhfo-alt seo) a socraítear leis an gcomhaontú agus a bhaineas leis an oibrí sin, beidh éifeacht ag an gconradh, i leith aon tréimhse a mbeidh an comhaontú cláraithe ar a feadh, amháil is dá gcuirtí coinníollacha an chomhaontuithe in ionad coinníollacha an chonartha.
Sonraí i dtaobh comhaontuithe fostaíochta a fhoilsiú agus ceart chun cóipeanna dhíobh a fháil.
31.—(1) Nuair a clárófar comhaontú fostaíochta, foilseoidh an Chúirt, i pé slí is oiriúnach léi, fógra i dtaobh an chláruithe maraon le pé sonraí i dtaobh an chomhaontuithe a mheasfas an Chúirt is gá.
(2) Nuair a hathrófar comhaontú fostaíochta cláraithe, foilseoidh an Chúirt, i pé slí is oiriúnach léi, fógra i dtaobh an athruithe maraon le pé sonraí i dtaobh an athruithe a mheasfas an Chúirt is gá.
(3) Nuair a cealófar clárú comhaontuithe fhostaíochta, foilseoidh an Chúirt, i pé slí is oiriúnach léi, fógra i dtaobh an chealuithe.
(4) Féadfaidh an Chúirt ó am go ham liostaí de chomhaontuithe fostaíochta cláraithe a fhoilsiú, i pé slí is oiriúnach léi, maraon le pé sonraí i dtaobh na gcomhaontuithe a mheasfas an Chúirt is gá.
(5) Bhéarfaidh an Chúirt go dtabharfar cóip de chomhaontú fostaíochta cláraithe d'aon duine a iarrfas sin agus a íocfas an táille ordaithe.
Comhaontuithe fostaíochta cláraithe a shárú.
32.—(1) Má dhéanann ceardchumann atá ionadaitheach d'oibrithe lena mbaineann comhaontú fostaíochta cláraithe gearán leis an gCúirt go ndearna aon fhostóir d'aon aicme lena mbaineann an comhaontú faillí nó mainneachtain sa chomhaontú a chomhlíonadh, beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas:—
(a) breithneoidh an Chúirt an gearán agus bhéarfaidh éisteacht do gach duine a bhfeicfear don Chúirt leas a bheith aige ann agus ar mian leis éisteacht a fháil;
(b) más deimhin leis an gCúirt, tar éis an bhreithnithe sin, go bhfuil bunús maith leis an ngearán, féadfaidh an Chúirt, le hordú, a ordú don fhostóir sin pé nithe a dhéanamh (lena n-áirítear aon tsuim a íoc a bheas ag dul d'oibrí mar luach saothair do réir an chomhaontuithe) is dóigh leis an gCúirt a bhéarfas go gcomhlíonfaidh an fostóir sin an comhaontú sin.
(2) Má dhéanann fostóir, nó ceardchumann atá ionadaitheach d'fhostóirí, lena mbaineann comhaontú fostaíochta cláraithe, gearán leis an gCúirt go bhfuil ceardchumann atá ionadaitheach d'oibrithe lena mbaineann an comhaontú ag cur stailce chun cinn, nó ag cabhrú as a chistí le cothabháil stailce, is eol d'ard-choiste bainistí an cheardchumainn oibrithe a bheith contrártha don chomhaontú agus arb é is cuspóir di a thabhairt ar fhostóir géilleadh d'éileamh go ndeonfaí d'oibrí luach saothar nó coinníollacha seachas mar a socraíodh leis an gcomhaontú, beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas—
(a) breithneoidh an Chúirt an gearán agus bhéarfaidh éisteacht do gach duine a bhfeicfear don Chúirt leas a bheith aige ann agus ar mian leis éisteacht a fháil;
(b) más deimhin leis an gCúirt, tar éis an bhreithnithe sin, go bhfuil bunús maith leis an ngearán—
(i) féadfaidh an Chúirt, le hordú, a ordú don cheardchumann oibrithe sin gan cabhrú as a chistí le cothabháil na stailce sin;
(ii) féadfaidh an Chúirt clárú an chomhaontuithe a chealú.
(3) Más rud é—
(a) go leanfaidh stailc tar éis don Chúirt ordú a dhéanamh faoi fho-alt (2) den alt seo maidir leis an stailc, agus
(b) ná féadfaidh nó go ndiúltóidh comhaltaí de cheardchumann oibrithe, nach é a rátaí luach saothair ná a gcoinníollacha fostaíochta is abhar don stailc, obair a dhéanamh faid a leanfas an stailc,
ansin, má híoctar sochar stailce leis na comhaltaí sin do réir rialacha an cheardchumainn, ní tuigthe, chun críocha an ailt seo, gurb ionann sin agus cabhrú le cothabhail na stailce.
(4) Más rud é, i gcás an Chúirt do dhéanamh orduithe faoi mhír (b) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo nó faoi fho-mhír (i) de mhír (b) d'fho-alt (2) den alt seo, ná comhlíonfar an t-ordachán a bheas san ordú, beidh an duine dar tugadh an t-ordachán ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air, agus, i gcás ciona leanúnaigh, fíneáil bhreise nach mó ná deich bpuint in aghaidh gach lae a leanfar den chion.
Comhaontuithe fostaíochta cláraithe a léiriú.
33.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chúirt tráth ar bith, ar dhuine ar bith dá iarraidh sin, a breith a thabhairt ar aon cheist i dtaobh léiriú comhaontuithe fhostaíochta chláraithe nó i dtaobh a fheidhme maidir le haon duine áirithe.
(2) Déanfaidh cúirt dlí, le linn di aon cheist a chinneadh a éireos in imeachta ina láthair i dtaobh léiriú comhaontuithe fhostaíochta chláraithe nó i dtaobh a fheidhme maidir le haon duine áirithe, aird a thabhairt ar aon bhreith a thug an Chúirt ar an gcomhaontú sin agus a cuirfear faoina bráid i gcúrsa na n-imeacht.
(3) Má éiríonn aon cheist in imeachta i láthair cúirte dlí i dtaobh léiriú comhaontuithe fhostaíochta chláraithe nó i dtaobh a fheidhme maidir le haon duine áirithe, féadfaidh an chúirt dlí, más cuibhe léi, an cheist a chur faoi bhráid na Cúirte chun a breith a thabhairt uirthi, agus beidh breith na Cúirte ar an gceist sin ina breith chríochnaitheach.
CUID IV.
An Chuirt do Rialu Luach Saothair agus Coinniollacha Fostaiochta Oibrithe Airithe.
Mínithe.
Mínithe chun críocha Coda IV.
34.—Sa Chuid seo—
ciallaíonn an abairt “ordú rialuithe fostaíochta” ordú arna dhéanamh faoi alt 43 den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn an abairt “ordú bunuithe” ordú arna dhéanamh faoi alt 35 den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn an focal “cigire” duine arna cheapadh ina chigire faoi alt 51 den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn an abairt “comhchoiste oibreachais” coiste arna bhunú faoi alt 35 den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn an abairt “coinníollacha reachtúla fostaíochta”, maidir le hoibrí lena mbaineann ordú rialuithe fostaíochta a shocraíos coinníollacha fostaíochta, na coinníollacha fostaíochta a socraítear leis an ordú maidir leis an oibrí sin;
ciallaíonn an abairt “luach saothair íosta reachtúil”, maidir le hoibrí lena mbaineann ordú rialuithe fostaíochta a shocraíos luach saothair, an luach saothair a socraítear leis an ordú maidir leis an oibrí sin.
Comhchoistí Oibreachais.
Cumhacht na Cúirte chun comhchoistí oibreachais a bhunú.
35.—Faoi réir forál na Coda seo, féadfaidh an Chúirt, le hordú, coiste a bhunú chun na feadhma a ceaptar dó leis an gCuid seo a chomhlíonadh maidir leis an aicme nó an cineál nó an grúpa oibrithe a tuairisceofar san ordú agus lena bhfostóirí.
Iarratais ar orduithe bunuithe.
36.—Féadfaid seo leanas iarratas a dhéanamh chun na Cúirte á iarraidh comhchoiste oibreachais a bhunú maidir le haon oibrithe agus a bhfostóirí—
(a) an tAire, nó
(b) ceardchumann, nó
(c) aon chomheagras nó grúpa daoine a bheas á éileamh iad a bheith ionadaitheach do na hoibrithe sin nó do na fostóirí sin.
Srianta le horduithe bunuithe a dhéanamh.
37.—Ní dhéanfaidh an Chúirt ordú bunuithe maidir le haon oibrithe agus a bhfostóirí mura deimhin leis an gCúirt—
(a) más comheagras nó grúpa daoine a bheas á éileamh iad a bheith ionadaitheach do na hoibrithe sin nó do na fostóirí sin a dhéanfas an t-iarratas, go bhfuil bunús maith leis an éileamh sin, agus
(b) (i) go bhfuil comhaontú substainteach idir na hoibrithe sin agus a bhfostóirí chun comhchoiste oibreachais a bhunú, nó
(ii) nach leordhóthaineach an sásra atá ann chun luach saothair agus coinníollacha eile fostaíochta na n-oibrithe sin a rialú go héifeachtach nó gur cosúil go scoirfidh sé de bheith ann nó go scoirfidh sé de bheith leordhóthaineach, nó
(iii) go bhfuil sé fóirstineach, ag féachaint do na rátaí luach saothair nó na coinníollacha fostaíochta atá ag na hoibrithe sin nó ag aon chuid díobh, comhchoiste oibreachais a bhunú.
Fiosrú i dtaobh iarratais ar ordú bunuithe.
38.—I gcás iarratas a dhéanamh go cuibhe chun na Cúirte ag iarraidh orduithe bhunuithe, breithneoidh an Chúirt an t-iarratas sin agus, faoi réir ailt 37 den Acht seo, beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas—
(a) déanfaidh an Chúirt, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le pé páirtithe a mheasfaidh is gá, dréacht-ordú bunuithe (dá ngairmtear an dréacht san alt seo) a ullmhú,
(b) foilseoidh an Chúirt, sa tslí ordaithe, fógra ina bhfógrófar—
(i) go bhfuil beartaithe ag an gCúirt fiosrú a dhéanamh i dtaobh an iarratais,
(ii) an lá (nach luaithe ná tríocha lá roimh dháta an fhógra a fhoilsiú ná nach déanaí ná cúig lá ceathrachad dá éis) agus an t-am agus an áit a ndéanfar an fiosrú,
(iii) an áit ina bhféadfar cóipeanna den dréacht a fháil,
(c) féadfar agóidí i gcoinne an dréachta a chur faoi bhráid na Cúirte roimh dháta an fhiosruithe a dhéanamh, agus ní foláir gach agóid den tsórt sin a bheith i scríbhinn agus forais na n-agóid agus na nithe a hiarrtar a fhágaint ar lár nó a chur isteach nó a mhodhnú a bheith luaite ann,
(d) déanfaidh an Chúirt an fiosrú an lá a sonrófar amhlaidh sa bhfógra agus breithneoidh aon agóidí i gcoinne an dréachta a cuireadh faoina bráid do réir míre (c) den alt seo.
Orduithe bunuithe a dhéanamh.
39.—(1) Nuair a bheas fiosrú déanta ag an gCúirt, de bhun ailt 38 den Acht seo, i dtaobh iarratais ar ordú bunuithe, féadfaidh an Chúirt, faoi réir ailt 37 den Acht seo, an t-ordú a dhéanamh, más oiriúnach léi, i dtéarmaí an dréachta a hullmhaíodh do réir an ailt sin 38 nó fara pé modhnuithe ar na téarmaí sin a mheasfaidh is gá.
(2) Nuair a dhéanfas an Chúirt ordú bunuithe, foilseoidh sí an t-ordú sa tslí ordaithe, agus tiocfaidh an t-ordú i ngníomh ar an dáta a foilseofar amhlaidh é nó pé dáta ina dhiaidh sin (nach déanaí ná ceithre lá déag tar éis dáta a fhoilsithe amhlaidh) a sonrófar ann.
Orduithe bunuithe a chúlghairm agus a athrú.
40.—I gcás ordú bunuithe maidir le haon oibrithe agus a bhfostóirí a bheith i bhfeidhm, féadfaidh an Chúirt, le hordú, ar iarratas (ina sonrófar na forais ar a ndéantar é)—
(a) ón Aire, nó
(b) ó aon cheardchumann, nó
(c) ó aon chomheagras nó grúpa daoine a bheas á éileamh iad a bheith, agus is dóigh leis an gCúirt a bheith, ionadaitheach do na hoibrithe sin nó do na fostóirí sin,
deireadh a chur leis an gcomhchoiste oibreachais a bunaíodh leis an ordú bunuithe sin nó an t-ordú bunuithe sin a leasú, agus beidh feidhm ag forála ailt 38 agus ailt 39 den Acht seo maidir leis an iarratas sin agus leis an ordú (más ann) a rinneadh faoin alt seo amhail is dá mba iarratas faoi alt 36 an t-iarratas agus gur ordú bunuithe an t-ordú.
Comhdhéanamh, oifigigh agus imeachta comhchoistí oibreachais.
41.—Beidh éifeacht ag na forála atá leagtha amach sa Dara Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Acht seo maidir le comhdhéanamh, oifigigh agus imeachta comhchoistí oibreachais.
Orduithe Rialuithe Fostaíochta.
Tograí ó chomhchoistí oibreachais i dtaobh luach saothair agus coinníollacha fostaíochta.
42.—(1) Faoi réir forál an ailt seo, féadfaidh comhchoiste oibreachais tograí a chur faoi bhráid na Cúirte chun na rátaí íosta luach saothair a shocrú a bheas le híoc i gcoitinne nó as aon obair áirithe leis na hoibrithe uile nó le haon chuid de na hoibrithe a mbeidh an coiste ag gníomhú maidir leo agus féadfaidh na tograí sin luach saothair seachtainiúil íosta a fhoráil do na hoibrithe sin uile nó d'aon chuid de na hoibrithe sin.
(2) Faoi réir forál an ailt seo, féadfaidh comhchoiste oibreachais tograí a chur faoi bhráid na Cúirte do rialú coinníollacha fostaíochta na n-oibrithe uile nó aon choda de na hoibrithe a mbeidh an Coiste ag gníomhú maidir leo.
(3) Ní chuirfidh comhchoiste oibreachais tograí faoi bhráid na Cúirte faoin alt seo chun ordú rialuithe fostaíochta a chúlghairm nó a leasú mura mbeidh an t-ordú i bhfeidhm ar feadh sé mhí ar a laghad.
Orduithe rialuithe fostaíochta a dhéanamh.
43.—(1) I gcás an Chúirt d'fháil tograí ó chomchoiste oibreachais faoi fho-alt (1) nó fo-alt (2) d'alt 42 den Acht seo nó faoin dá fho-alt sin, breithneoidh an Chúirt iad agus air sin beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas—
(a) féadfaidh an Chúirt, más oiriúnach léi, na tograí a chur thar n-ais go dtí an coiste maille le pé nótaí orthu is cuibhe leis an gCúirt, agus, sa chás sin, athbhreithneoidh an coiste na tograí ag féachaint do na nótaí sin agus féadfaidh sé, más oiriúnach leis, na tograí a athchur faoi bhráid na Cúirte gan leasú nó fara pé leasuithe is oiriúnach leis ag féachaint do na nótaí sin;
(b) mura gcuire an Chúirt na tograí thar n-ais chun an choiste amhlaidh nó más rud é, ar iad a chur thar n-ais amhlaidh, go n-athchuirfidh an coiste faoi bhráid na Cúirte iad gan leasú nó fara leasú, foilseoidh an Chúirt, sa tslí ordaithe, fógra ina bhfógrófar—
(i) gur cuireadh na tograí faoina bráid,
(ii) an áit inar féidir cóipeanna de na tograí a fháil, agus
(iii) go bhféadfar cúis-aithris i dtaobh na dtograí a dhéanamh chun an choiste laistigh de thríocha lá tar éis dáta an fhoilsithe sin;
(c) i gcás ina bhfoilseofar an fógra sin agus in a ndéanfar aon chúis-aithris i dtaobh na dtograí chun an choiste laistigh den tréimhse sin, breithneoidh an coiste an chúis-aithris agus féadfaidh sé, más oiriúnach leis, na tograí a athchur faoi bhráid na Cúirte fara leasú nó gan leasú;
(d) i gcás ina bhfoilseofar an fógra sin agus ná déanfar aon chúis-aithris amhlaidh chun an choiste laistigh den tréimhse sin nó go n-athchuirfidh an coiste na tograí faoi bhráid na Cúirte faoi mhír (c) den fho-alt seo, féadfaidh an Chúirt, mar is oiriúnach léi, ordú a dhéanamh ag tabhairt éifeachta do na tograí amhail ó pé dáta (i ndiaidh dáta an orduithe) is cuibhe leis an gCúirt agus a shonrós sí san ordú nó féadfaidh diúltú d'ordú a dhéanamh.
(2) A luaithe a dhéanfas an Chúirt ordú rialuithe fostaíochta, foilseoidh sí, sa tslí ordaithe, fógra á rá go ndearnadh an t-ordú agus á insint cad atá ann.
(3) Ní dhéanfaidh ordú rialuithe fostaíochta dochar d'aon chearta maidir le rátaí luach saothair nó coinníollacha fostaíochta a bheirtear d'aon oibrí le haon Chuid eile den Acht seo nó le haon Acht eile.
(4) Féadfaidh ordú rialuithe fostaíochta aon ordú rialuithe fostaíochta roimhe sin a leasú nó a chúlghairm.
(5) Féadfaidh forála difriúla do shaghsanna difriúla oibrithe a bheith in ordú rialuithe fostaíochta.
Conartha seirbhíse a oiriúnú de dhroim orduithe rialuithe fostaíochta
44.—(1) Déanfaidh an fostóir ar oibrí lena mhaineann ordú rialuithe fostaíochta—
(a) i gcás an t-ordú do shocrú luach saothair, luach saothair nach lú ná an luach saothair íosta reachtúil a íoc leis an oibrí sin,
(b) i gcás an t-ordú do shocrú coinníollacha fostaíochta, coinníollacha fostaíochta atá chomh fábharach ar a laghad leis an coinníollacha fostaíochta reachtúla a dheonadh don oibrí sin.
(2) Má foráltar, i gconradh idir oibrí (is oibrí lena mbaineann ordú rialuithe fostaíochta a shocraíos luach saothair) agus a fhostóir, go n-íocfar luach saothair is lú ná an luach saothair íosta reachtúil, beidh éifeacht ag an gconradh amhail is dá gcuirtí an luach saothair íosta reachtúil in ionad an luach saothair is lú ná é.
(3) Má foráltar, i gconradh idir oibrí (is oibrí lena mbaineann ordú rialuithe fostaíochta a shocraíos coinníollacha fostaíochta) agus a fhostóir, coinníollacha fostaíochta (dá ngairmtear coinníollacha an chonartha sa bhfo-alt seo) ná fuil chomh fábharach leis na coinníollacha fostaíochta reachtúla, beidh éifeacht ag an gconradh amhail is dá gcuirtí na coinníollacha fostaíochta reachtúla in ionad coinníollacha an chonartha.
Orduithe rialuithe fostaíochta rialuithe a fhorfeidhmiú.
45.—(1) Má fhaillíonn fostóir luach saothair nach lú ná an luach saothair íosta reachtúil a íoc le hoibrí (is oibrí lena mbaineann ordú rialuithe fostaíochta a shocraíos luach saothair), beidh an fostóir ciontach i gcion faoin bhfo-alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt a chur air.
(2) I gcás an fostóir nó duine ar bith eile a ndéanfar, do réir ailt 50 den Acht seo, é a chúiseamh mar dhuine arbh é a ghníomh nó a neamhghníomh faoi ndear an cion, a fháil ciontach i gcion faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo arb é atá ann faillí i luach saothair nach lú ná an luach saothair íosta reachtúil a íoc le hoibrí, féadfaidh an chúirt a chiontos é a ordú don fhostóir pé suim a íoc leis an oibrí a fhionnfas an chúirt sin a bheith comhionann leis an difríocht idir an luach saothair íosta reachtúil agus an luach saothair a híocadh iarbhír.
(3) Más rud é, i gcás aon oibrí (is oibrí lena mbaineann ordú rialuithe fostaíochta a shocraíos luach saothair, ná comhlíonfaidh an fostóir na coinníollacha fostaíochta reachtúla—
(a) beidh an fostóir ciontach i gcion faoin bhfo-alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt a chur air,
(b) féadfaidh an chúirt a chiontós an fostóir a ordú don fhostóir pé cúiteamh a mheasfas sí a bheith cothrom agus réasúnach a íoc leis an oibrí i leith an neamhchomhlíonta sin.
(4) Má déantar imeachta a bhunú faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo maidir le cion arb é atá ann faillí i luach saothair nach lú ná an luach saothair íosta reachtúil a íoc le hoibrí, agus fógra go bhfuiltear ar intinn leas a bhaint as mír (a) den fho-alt seo a sheirbheáil leis an toghairm, an barántas nó an gearán—
(a) féadfar, má ciontaítear sa chion an fostóir nó duine ar bith eile a cúiseofar, do réir ailt 50 den Acht seo, mar dhuine arbh é a ghníomh nó a neamhghníomh faoi ndear an cion, fianaise a thabhairt i dtaobh aon tsáruithe dá shamhail ag an bhfostóir i leith aon tréimhse i rith na dtrí mblian díreach roimh dháta an chiona, agus
(b) ar an sárú sin a chruthú, féadfaidh an chúirt a dtabharfar na himeachta ina láthair a ordú don fhostóir pé suim a íoc leis an oibrí a fhionnfas an chúirt sin a bheith comhionann leis an difríocht idir an méid ba cheart a íoc i rith na tréimhse sin leis an oibrí mar luach saothair, dá n-íoctaí luach saothair leis an oibrí do réir an luach saothair íosta reachtúil, agus an méid a híocadh amhlaidh iarbhír.
(5) In aon imeachta i gcoinne duine faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo is ar an duine sin a bheas a chruthú gur íoc sé luach saothair nach lú ná an luach saothair íosta reachtúil.
(6) In aon imeachta i gcoinne duine faoi fho-alt (3) den alt seo is ar an duine sin a bheas a chruthú gur chomhlíon sé na coinníollacha fostaíochta reachtúla.
(7) Na cumhachta a bheirtear leis an alt seo chun suimeanna a aisghabháil a bheas dlite ag oibrí ar fhostóir ní laghdú iad ar aon cheart a bheas ag an oibrí chun na suimeanna sin a aisghabháil trí imeachta síbhialta.
Ceada á údarú daoine easlána agus daoine éagumasta a fhostú ar luach saothair is lú ná an luach saothair íosta reachtúil.
46.—(1) Más rud é, i gcás aon oibrí atá ar fostú nó ar mian leis bheith ar fostú i dtosca de shórt a bheir nó a bhéarfas go mbaineann nó go mbainfidh ordú rialuithe fostaíochta a shocraíos luach saothair leis, gur deimhin leis an gcomhchoiste oibreachais iomchuibhe, ar an oibrí nó an fostóir nó fostóir ionchasach d'iarraidh cheada faoin alt seo air, go bhfuil easláinte nó éagumas coirp ar an oibrí a chuireas é ó chumas an luach saothair íosta reachtúil a thuilleamh, féadfaidh an coiste, más oiriúnach leis, cead a dheonadh, faoi réir pé coinníoll (más ann) a chinnfeas sé, á údarú é a fhostú ar luach saothair is lú ná an luach saothair íosta reachtúil, agus, faid a bheas an cead i bhfeidhm, is tuigthe, chun críocha an Achta seo, má comhlíontar na coinníollacha sin, gurb é an luach saothair a húdaraítear leis an gcead a íoc leis is luach saothair íosta reachtúil.
(2) Má fhostaíonn fostóir aon oibrí in árach aon doiciméide a airbheartaíos bheith ina chead a deonadh faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo á údarú an t-oibrí sin a fhostú ar luach saothair is lú ná an luach saothair íosta reachtúil, ansin, má thug an fostóir fógra don chomhchoiste oibreachais iomchuibhe go bhfuil sé, in árach na doiciméide sin, ag fostú an oibrí sin nó ag beartú é a fhostú ar luach saothair sonraithe, is tuigthe, d'ainneoin nach cead bailí nó nach cead bailí feasta maidir leis an oibrí sin an doiciméid sin, gur cead den tsórt sin í, faoi réir a téarmaí agus in aghaidh aon tréimhse tar éis an fógra a thabhairt agus ina haghaidh sin amháin, go dtí go bhfaighe an fostóir a mhalairt d'fhógra ón gcoiste.
Luach saothair a ríomh.
47.—(1) Faoi réir fo-ailt (2) den alt seo, léireofar aon tagairt sa Chuid seo do luach saothair mar thagairt don mhéid a gheobhas an t-oibrí nó a bheas le fáil aige óna fhostóir in airgead, saor ó gach asbhaint i leith ní ar bith, ach amháin asbhaintí arna ndéanamh go dleathach faoi aon achtachán a bheas i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire á cheangal nó a údarú asbhaintí a dhéanamh ó luach saothair.
(2) Faoi réir aon achtacháin a bheas i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire, féadfaidh ordú rialuithe fostaíochta a údarú sochair nó buntáistí sonraithe, a bheas curtha ar fáil d'oibrí ag a fhostóir nó thar ceann a fhostóra, a áireamh mar íocaíocht luach saothair ag an bhfostóir in ionad íocaíocht in airgead agus míneofar san ordú sin an luach airgid a bheas le cur ar gach sochar agus buntáiste den tsórt sin.
Gan fostóirí do ghlacadh préamaí ó phríntísigh ná foghlaimeoirí.
48.—(1) (a) I gcás oibrí (is oibrí lena mbaineann ordú rialuithe fostaíochta a shocraíos luach saothair) a bheith ina phríntiseach nó ina fhoghlaimeoir, ní dleathach dá fhostóir aon íocaíocht i bhfoirm préama a ghlacadh, go díreach ná go neamhdhíreach, uaidh ná thar a cheann ná ar a scór,
(b) Ní bhainfidh aon ní i mír (a) den fho-alt seo le haon íocaíocht den tsórt a luaitear inti a déanfar go cuibhe de bhun aon ionstraime príntíseachta a bheas ceadaithe chun críche an fho-ailt seo ag comhchoiste oibreachais.
(2) Má ghlacann aon fhostóir aon íocaíocht i bhfoirm préama contrártha don alt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt a chur air, agus féadfaidh an chúirt a chiontós é, i dteannta na fíneála, a ordú dhó an tsuim a glacadh i bhfoirm préama a íoc leis an oibrí nó leis an duine eile a rinne an íocaíocht.
Breacacháin agus fógraí.
49.—(1) Déanfaidh fostóir aon oibrithe lena mbaineann ordú rialuithe fostaíochta pé breacacháin a choimeád is gá chun a thaispeáint cé acu atá nó ná fuil forála na Coda seo á gcomhlíonadh maidir leo, agus coinneoidh an fostóir na breacacháin go ceann trí mblian.
(2) Aon duine is fostóir ar aon oibrithe cuirfidh sé ar taispeáint sa tslí ordaithe pé fógraí a bheas ordaithe chun aon tograí faoi alt 42 den Acht seo a bhainfeas leis na hoibrithe sin nó aon ordú rialuithe fostaíochta a bhainfeas leis na hoibrithe sin a chur in iúl dóibh agus bhéarfaidh fógra, in aon tslí eile a hordófar, do na hoibrithe sin i dtaobh na nithe sin agus i dtaobh pé nithe eile, más ann, a hordófar.
(3) Má fhaillíonn fostóir aon cheann de cheanglais an ailt seo a chomhlíonadh, beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná fiche punt a chur air.
Dliteanas coiriúil gníomhaire agus an uasfhostóra agus cosaint speisialta is indéanta ag an bhfostóir.
50.—(1) I gcás gar-fhostóir aon oibrí a bheith ar fostú é féin ag duine éigin eile agus an t-oibrí a bheith ar fostú in áitreabh an duine eile sin, is tuigthe, chun críocha na Coda seo, an duine eile sin a bheith ina fhostóir ar an oibrí i gcomhar leis an ngarfhostóir.
(2) I gcás fostóir a chúiseamh i gcion faoi aon alt nó fo-alt dá bhfuil sa Chuid seo, beidh sé i dteideal, ar é do dhéanamh faisnéise go cuibhe agus ar é do thabhairt fógra trí lá ar a laghad don lucht ionchúisimh go bhfuil sin ar intinn aige, aon duine eile, a líomhnóidh sé gurbh é a ghníomh nó a neamhghníomh faoi ndear an cion, a thabhairt i láthair na cúirte a bheas ag éisteacht an chúisimh an tráth a bheas ceaptha d'éisteacht an chúisimh, agus air sin beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas—
(a) más rud é, ar é bheith cruthaithe go ndearnadh an cion, go gcruthóidh an fostóir gurbh é gníomh nó neamhghníomh an duine eile sin faoi ndear an cion, féadfar an duine eile sin a chiontú sa chion,
(b) má chruthaíonn an fostóir fairis sin go ndearna sé dícheall cuibhe chun a áirithiú go gcomhlíonfaí an Chuid seo agus aon rialachán nó ordú iomchuibhe a rinneadh fúithi, éigiontófar sa chion é.
(3) Má iarrann cosantóir leas a bhaint as fo-alt (2) den alt seo—
(a) beidh de cheart ag an lucht ionchúisimh, chomh maith leis an duine a mbeidh an cosantóir á chúiseamh sa chion, é féin, má thugann sé fianaise, agus aon fhínnéithe a ghlaofas sé mar thaca lena phléideála, a chroscheistiú agus fianaise fhrisnéiseach a ghlaoch,
(b) féadfaidh an chúirt a bheas ag éisteacht an chúisimh pé ordú is oiriúnach léi a dhéanamh i dtaobh aon pháirtí sna himeachta d'íoc costais le haon pháirtí eile iontu.
(4) I gcás—
(a) inar dóigh le cigire go bhfuiltear tar éis cion a dhéanamh a bhféadfaí imeachta ina leith a bhunú faoin gCuid seo i gcoinne fostóra, agus
(b) inar deimhin leis an gcigire go réasúnach gurbh é gníomh nó neamhghníomh duine éigin eile faoi ndear an cion a ndéantar gearán ina thaobh, agus go bhféadfadh an fostóir cosaint faoi fho-alt (2) den alt seo a shuíomh,
beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas—
(i) féadfaidh an cigire a thabhairt go mbunófar imeachta i gcoinne an duine eile sin gan a thabhairt go mbunófar imeachta ar dtúis i gcoinne an fhostóra,
(ii) má bunaítear na himeachta sin amhlaidh, féadfar an duine eile sin a chúiseamh iontu agus, arna chruthú gurbh é a ghníomh nó a neamhghníomh faoi ndear an cion, féadfar é a chiontú sa chion a bhféadfaí an fostóir a chúiseamh ann.
Cigirí.
51.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire pé daoine agus pé méid daoine is oiriúnach leis a cheapadh ina gcigirí chun críocha na Coda seo.
(2) Bhéarfaidh an tAire deimhniú a cheaptha do gach cigire agus, nuair a bheas cigire ag feidhmiú aon chumhachta dá dtugtar dó leis an gCuid seo, déanfaidh sé, ar dhuine ar bith lena mbainfidh sin dá iarraidh sin air, an deimhniú sin a thaispeáint dó,
Cumhachta cigirí.
52.—(1) Féadfaidh cigire, chun forála na Coda seo a fhorfheidhmiú, gach ní nó aon ní acu seo a leanas a dhéanamh, sé sin le rá:—
(a) dul isteach gach tráth réasúnach in aon áitreabh a mbeidh cúis réasúnach aige chun a chreidiúint go bhfuil aon oibrithe lena mbaineann ordú rialuithe fostaíochta ar fostú ann,
(b) a cheangal go dtaispeánfaí dhó leatháin páighe nó breacacháin eile i dtaobh luach saothair a bheas á gcoimeád ag fostóir agus aon bhreacacháin den tsórt a gceangaltar leis an gCuid seo ar fhostóirí iad a choimeád, agus na leatháin nó na breacacháin sin a iniúchadh agus a scrúdú agus cóip a dhéanamh d'aon chuid abhartha dhíobh.
(c) scrúdú maidir le haon nithe faoin gCuid seo a dhéanamh ar aon duine a mbeidh cúis réasúnach aige chun a chreidiúint go bhfuil nó go raibh sé ina oibrí lena mbaineann ordú rialuithe fostaíochta nó ar fhostóir aon oibrí den tsórt sin agus a cheangal ar an duine sin nó ar an bhfostóir sin pé ceisteanna (seachas ceisteanna d'inchoireodh an duine sin) a fhreagairt a chuirfeas an cigire sin air i dtaobh na nithe sin agus dearbhú a shíniú gur fíor na freagraí ar na ceisteanna sin.
(2) Duine ar bith—
(a) a choiscfeas nó a bhacfas cigire agus é ag feidhmiú aon chumhachta dá dtugtar don chigire sin leis an alt seo, nó
(b) a dhiúltós aon bhreacachán a thaispeáint a cheanglós cigire air go dleathach a thaispeáint, nó
(c) a stopfas duine ar bith nó a fhéachfas lena stopadh ó theacht i láthair chigire nó ar a cheistiú ag cigire, nó
(d) a fhailleos nó a dhiúltós go toiliúil aon cheanglas dleathach ó chigire faoi mhír (b) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo a chomhlíonadh,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin bhfo-alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó nach fiche punt a chur air.
(3) Duine ar bith ar a gceangailtear leis an gCuid seo breacacháin a choimeád, má dhéanann sé nó má chuireann sé faoi ndear aon bhreacachán a choimeád a bheas bréagach in aon phonc abhartha, nó má dhéanann nó má chuireann faoi ndear nó má ligean go feasach é a thaispeáint do chigire, agus a fhios aige é a bheith bréagach, beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin bhfo-alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air nó príosúntacht ar feadh tréimhse nach sia ná trí mhí nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúntacht sin le chéile.
(4) Féadfaidh cigire imeachta a bhunú mar gheall ar chion faoi aon alt nó fo-alt dá bhfuil sa Chuid seo.
(5) (a) Féadfaidh cigire ar bith, má chítear dó go bhfuil suim dlite ar fhostóir ag oibrí (is oibrí lena mbaineann ordú rialuithe fostaíochta a shocraíos luach saothair) toisc luach saothair is lú ná an luach saothair íosta reachtúil a íoc leis, imeachta síbhialta a bhunú thar ceann agus in ainm an oibrí sin chun an tsuim sin a aisghabháil agus in aon imeachta den tsórt sin féadfar ordú a dhéanamh chun an cigire d'íoc costas amhail is dá mba pháirtí sna himeachta é.
(b) An chumhacht a bheirtear le mír (a) den fho-alt seo chun suimeanna a aisghabháil a bheas dlite ar fhostóir ag oibrí ní laghdú í ar aon cheart a bheas ag an oibrí chun na suimeanna sin a aisghabháil in imeachta síbhialta.
Forála maidir le buird cheirde.
Buird cheirde a bheith ina gcomhchoistí oibreachais.
53.—Aon bhord ceirde a bheas ann díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo is tuigthe, i dtosach feidhme an Achta seo, é a bheith, de bhuaidh an ailt seo, ina chomhchoiste oibreachais arna bhunú faoin gCuid seo le hordú bunuithe (d'ainneoin gan a chomhdhéanamh a bheith ar gach slí do réir forál an Achta seo) agus ag gníomhú maidir leis na hoibrithe agus na fostóirí ar maidir leo a ghníomhaigh sé díreach roimh an tosach feidhme sin.
Orduithe faoi na Trade Boards Acts, 1909 and1918.
54.—Aon ordú a bheas i bhfeidhm díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo ag daingniú, ag athrú nó ag cealú aon ráta faoi na Trade Boards Acts, 1909 and 1918, leanfaidh sé i bhfeidhm agus is tuigthe gur ordú rialuithe fostaíochta é.
Fógraí atá ar feitheamh i dtaobh tograí chun rátaí íosta páighe faoi na Trade Boards Acts,1909 and 1918, a athrú.
55.—I gcás aon fhógra a bheith arna thabhairt ag bord ceirde roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo i dtaobh tograí chun rátaí íosta páighe faoi na Trade Boards Acts, 1909 and 1918, a athrú, féadfaidh na himeachta céanna a bheith ann maidir leis na tograí sin a d'fhéadfadh a bheith ann dá mba ná déanfaí na hAchta sin a athghairm leis an Acht seo, agus má déantar ordú ag daingniú na dtograí sin is tuigthe gur ordú rialuithe fostaíochta an t-ordú sin.
Tagairtí do bhuird cheirde a oiriúnú.
56.—Déanfar tagairtí in aon doiciméid (seachas achtachán a hathghairmtear leis an Acht seo) do bhord ceirde a léiriú mar thagairtí do chomhchoiste oibreachais.
Ceisteanna áirithe a chinneadh.
Ceisteanna áirithe a chinneadh.
57.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chúirt tráth ar bith, ar dhuine ar bith dá iarraidh sin, a breith a thabhairt ar an gceist cé acu atá nó ná fuil comhchoiste oibreachais áirithe ag gníomhú maidir le duine áirithe nó cé acu a bhaineann nó ná baineann ordú rialuithe fost aíochta áirithe le duine áirithe.
(2) Déanfaidh cúirt dlí, nuair a bheas aon cheist á cinneadh aici a éireos in imeachta ina láthair i dtaobh cé acu atá nó ná fuil comhchoiste oibreachais áirithe ag gníomhú maidir le duine áirithe nó cé acu a bhaineann nó ná baineann ordú rialuithe fostaíochta áirithe le duine áirithe, aird a thabhairt ar aon bhreith a thug an Chúirt agus a cuirfear faoina bráid i gcúrsa na n-imeacht.
(3) Má éiríonn aon cheist in imeachta i láthair cúirte dlí i dtaobh cé acu atá nó ná fuil comhchoiste oibreachas áirithe ag gníomhú maidir le duine áirithe nó cé acu a bhaineann nó ná baineann ordú rialuithe fostaíochta áirithe le duine áirithe, féadfaidh an chúirt dlí, más cuibhe léi, an cheist a chur faoi bhráid na Cúirte chun breith a thabhairt uirthi, agus beidh breith na Cúirte ar an gceist sin ina breith chríochnaitheach.
Páigh chaighdeánach do líomatáistí.
Páigh chaighdeánach do líomatáistí.
58.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, tar éis fógra a fhoilsiú i pé slí is oiriúnach léi go bhfuil sin ar intinn aici, a shocrú, uaithi féin nó ar aon duine leasmhar dá iarraidh sin, i leith aon líomatáiste a thoghfas an Chúirt, cad é an pháigh (dá ngairmtear an pháigh chaighdeánach san alt seo) is dóigh leis an gCúirt ba chóir a íoc le hoibrí éatach fireannach a bheadh ag déanamh obair neamhoilte sa líomatáiste sin le haghaidh gnáth-sheachtaine oibre.
(2) Nuair a bheas an pháigh chaighdeánach d'aon líomatáiste á socrú ag an gCúirt bhéarfaidh sí aird ar an gcothrom páighe is gnáth a íoc le hoibrithe eile sa líomatáiste sin.
(3) Má shocraíonn an Chúirt páigh chaighdeánach do líomatáiste ar bith, foilseoidh sí sonraí ina taobh i pé slí is oiriúnach léi.
(4) Ní léireofar éinní san alt seo mar ní a chuireas d'oblagáid ar fhostóirí i líomatáiste an pháigh chaighdeánach a íoc a bheas socair faoin alt seo don líomatáiste sin.
CUID V.
Comhchomhairli Tionscail Claraithe.
Mínithe chun críocha Coda V.
59.—Sa Chuid seo—
ciallaíonn an abairt “comhchomhairle thionscail cháilithe” comhlachas daoine a chomhlíonfas na coinníollacha seo a leanas—
(a) go bhfuil sé ionadaitheach go substainteach d'oibrithe d'aicme nó cineál nó grúpa áirithe agus dá bhfostóirí,
(b) gurb é is cuspóir dó caidreamh muinteartha a chothú idir na fostóirí sin agus na hoibrithe sin,
(c) go bhforáltar lena rialacha, má tharlaíonn aighneas ceirde idir na hoibrithe sin agus a bhfostóirí, ná déanfar staile ná frithdhúnadh mar thaca leis an aighneas go dtí go mbeidh an t-aighneas arna chur faoi bhráid an chomhlachais agus ar na bhreithniú aige;
ciallaíonn an abairt “an clár” an Clár de Chomhchomhairlí Tionscail;
ciallaíonn an focal “cláraithe” cláraithe sa chlár;
ciallaíonn an abairt “comhchomhairle thionscail chláraithe” comhlachas a bheas cláraithe de thuras na huaire sa chlár.
An Clár de Chomhchomhairlí Tionscail.
60.—Coimeádfaidh an chúirt clár dá ngairmfear an Clár de Chomhchomhairlí Tionscail.
Comhchomhairlí tionscail a chlárú.
61.—(1) I gcás comhlachas a bheas á éileamh gur comhchomhairle thionscail cháilithe é d'iarraidh ar an gcúirt é a chlárú sa chlár, déanfaidh an Chúirt, más deimhin léi go bhfuil bunús maith leis an éileamh, an comhlachas a chlárú sa chlár.
(2) Beidh ag gabháil le hiarratas ó chomhlachas á iarraidh é a chlárú sa chlár cóipeanna de rialacha an chomhlachais agus pé eolas eile a theastós ón gCúirt i dtaobh an chomhlachais.
(3) Má dhéanann an Chúirt comhlachas a chlárú sa chlár, bhéarfaidh sí go n-iontrálfar ann ainm an chomhlachais, a phríomh-oifig agus ainm a rúnaí.
Clárú a chealú.
62.—Déanfaidh an Chúirt clárú aon chomhlachais sa chlár a chealú—
(a) má iarrann an comhlachas ar an gCúirt sin a dhéanamh, nó
(b) más dóigh leis an gCúirt go bhfuil scortha ag an gcomhlachas de bheith ina chomhchomhairle thionscail cháilithe, nó go bhfuil scortha aige de bheith ag gníomhú.
Rialacha comhchomhairle tionscail cláraithe a iniúchadh.
63.—Beidh rialacha comhchomhairle tionscail cláraithe ar fáil chun a n-iniúchta ag an bpobal in oifigí na Cúirte pé trátha a shocrós an Chúirt.
Cathaoirleach agus rúnaí comhchomhairle tionscail a cheapadh.
64.—Féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar chomhchomhairle thionscail chláraithe dá iarraidh sin, cathaoirleach na comhairle agus rúnaí dhi a cheapadh.
Comhchomhairle thionscail chláraithe a bheith ina comhlacht lena mbaineann alt 3 den Acht Ceardchumann, 1942.
65.—Beidh comhchomhairle thionscail chláraithe ina bord lena mbaineann alt 3 den Acht Ceardchumann, 1942 (Uimh. 23 de 1942).
CUID VI.
Aighnis Cheirde.
“Oibrí” chun críocha Coda VI.
66.—Sna hailt ina dhiaidh seo den Chuid seo ciallaíonn an focal “oibrí” duine ar bith, is oibrí do réir bhrí ailt 4 den Acht seo nó is oibrí talmhaíochta, do réir bhrí an Achta um Páigh Thalmhaíochta, 1936 (Uimh. 53 de 1936).
Cumhacht na Cúirte chun aighneas ceirde a fhiosrú.
67.—(1) Faoi réir forál an ailt seo, féadfaidh an Chúirt, i gcás aighneas ceirde a bheith ann nó a bheith ag tuar, an t-aighneas a fhiosrú.
(2) Ní fhiosróidh an Chúirt aighneas ceirde idir dhaoine a mbeidh ionadaíocht acu ar chomhchomhairle thionscail chláraithe mura rud é—
(a) go n-iarrfaidh an chomhairle é, nó
(b) gur dóigh leis an gCúirt gur cosúil saotharstad a theacht den aighneas.
(3) Ní fhiosróidh an Chúirt aighneas lena mbaineann alt 11 d'Acht Bhord Soláthair an Leictreachais (Aosliúntas), 1942 (Uimh. 17 de 1942), ach amháin ar an mbínse a bunaíodh faoi alt 9 den Acht sin dá iarraidh sin.
(4) Ní dhéanfaidh an Chúirt aighneas ceirde a mbeidh baint ag ceardchumann leis a fhiosrú, má chruthaíonn an ceardchumann chun sástachta na Cúirte go bhfuil comhaontú i bhfeidhm idir an ceardchumann agus na páirtithe eile san aighneas lena bhforáltar modh eile chun an t-aighneas a chinneadh, mura rud é gur dóigh leis an gCúirt gur cosúil saotharstad a theacht den aighneas.
(5) Ní fhiosróidh an Chúirt aighneas ceirde idir dhaoine lena mbaineann comhaontú fostaíochta cláraithe, do réir bhrí Coda III den Acht seo, i dtaobh nithe lena mbaineann an comhaontú mura rud é—
(a) go n-iarrfaidh páirtí sa chomhaontú é, nó
(b) gur dóigh leis an gCúirt gur cosúil saotharstad a theacht den aighneas.
Moladh ón gCúirt i dtaobh aighnis cheirde.
68.—(1) Déanfaidh an Chúirt, tar éis aighneas ceirde a fhiosrú, moladh ina leagfaidh amach a tuairim ar chearta an aighnis agus na téarmaí ar ar chóir, mar mhaithe le leas an phobail agus d'fhonn síocháin tionscail a chothú, an t-aighneas a shocrú, ag féachaint go cuibhe do chothroimhe na dtéarmaí sin maidir leis na páirtithe lena mbainfidh agus don chosúlacht atá ann go mbeidh na téarmaí sin inghlactha acu.
(2) Cuirfidh an Chúirt moladh faoin alt seo in iúl do na páirtithe uile san aighneas agus do pé daoine eile is oiriúnach leis an gCúirt, agus féadfaidh an Chúirt freisin an moladh a fhoilsiú i pé slí is oiriúnach léi.
Oifigeach idir-réitigh do dhéanamh eadarghabhála in aighneas ceirde.
69.—(1) Féadfaidh cathaoirleach na Cúirte, sar a dtosnóidh an Chúirt ar aighneas ceirde a fhiosrú, oifigeach idir-réitigh a cheapadh chun bheith ina eadarghabhálaí san aighneas chun buan-shocrú a dhéanamh air nó pé socrú sealadach a áiritheos ná tarlóidh aon tsaotharstad faid a bheas an t-aighneas á fhiosrú.
(2) Féadfaidh cathaoirleach na Cúirte údarás ginearálta a thabhairt d'oifigeach idir-réitigh chun gníomhú ina eadarghabhálaí maidir le haighnis cheirde i gcoitinne nó le haighnis cheirde de chineál áirithe.
Aighneas ceirde a chur faoi eadráin.
70.—I gcás aighneas ceirde a bheith tar éis tarlachtain nó a bheith ag tuar, féadfaidh an Chúirt, le toiliú gach páirtí a mbeidh baint acu leis an aighneas, an t-aighneas a chur faoi eadráin duine amháin nó níos mó (lena n-íocfar pé táillí a chinnfeas an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais) nó féadfaidh an Chúirt féin eadráin a dhéanamh ar an aighneas.
An Chúirt d'fhiosrú aighneas ceirde áirithe a dtiocfaidh saotharstad díobh agus cumhacht chun dámhachtana a dhéanamh ina leith.
71.—(1) Más eol don Chúirt aighneas ceirde a bheith tar éis tarlachtain a dtáinig saotharstad de in aon cheird nó tionscal, féadfaidh an Chúirt an t-aighneas a fhiosrú, más deimhin léi ná fuil aon cheardchumann oibrithe ag cur an aighnis chun cinn nó ag cabhrú leis.
(2) Má chinneann an Chúirt ar aighneas ceirde a fhiosrú do réir an ailt seo, beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas—
(a) bhéarfaidh an Chúirt go bhfoilseofar, i nuachtán amháin ar a laghad a léitear sa líomatáiste inar tharla an t-aighneas, fógra i dtaobh an ama (nach luaithe ná dhá lá glan tar éis dáta foilsithe an nuachtáin sin) agus na háite ina suífidh an Chúirt chun fianaise a ghlacadh maidir leis an aighneas ó dhaoine a mbeidh baint acu leis;
(b) déanfaidh an Chúirt, ag an suí sin nó ag aon athchomóradh air, fianaise a ghlacadh maidir leis an aighneas ó gach duine a thiocfas ina láthair chun fianaise a thabhairt agus ar dóigh leis an gCúirt baint a bheith aige leis an aighneas;
(c) ar fhianaise a éisteacht, déanfaidh an Chúirt, mar is cuibhe léi—
(i) a chinneadh gan aon ní a dhéanamh maidir leis an aighneas, nó
(ii) moladh a fhoilsiú ag leagadh amach tuairime na Cúirte ar chearta an aighnis agus ar an slí inar chóir é a shocrú, nó
(iii) dámhachtain a dhéanamh (ná beidh ar neamhréir ina téarmaí le comhaontú fostaíochta cláraithe, do réir bhrí Coda III den Acht seo) ag leagadh amach na gcoinníoll ar ar chóir, i dtuairim na Cúirte, an t-aighneas a shocrú.
Eifeacht dámhachtana faoi alt 71.
72.—Aon uair a dhéanfas an Chúirt dámhachtain faoi alt 71 den Acht seo maidir le haon oibrithe agus a bhfostórí, beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas—
(a) beidh an dámhachtain i bhfeidhm go ceann na tréimhse de thrí mhí dar tosach dáta na dámhachtana;
(b) aon fhostóir a dhéanfas nó a chomhaontós, gan toiliú na Cúirte, oibrí ar bith a fhostú, i rith na tréimhse sin, faoi choinníollacha a bheas ar neamhréir le coinníollacha na dámhachtana, beidh sé ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air.
CUID VII.
Forala Sealadacha maidir le hOrduithe Paighe (Rata Caighdeanach agus Orduithe Bonais faoin Ordu Cumhachta Prainne (Uimh. 166), 1942, agus faoin Ordu Cumhachta Prainne (Uimh. 260), 1943.
Mínithe chun críocha Coda VII.
73.—Sa Chuid seo—
ciallaíonn an abairt “ordú bónais” ordú arna dhéanamh faoi Airteagal 11 nó Airteagal 11A nó Airteagal 11AA d'Ordú 166 nó faoi Airteagal 11 den Ordú um an Ordú Cumhachta Práinne (Uimh. 166), 1942 (An Cúigiú Leasú), 1942 (R. & O. R., Uimh. 444 de 1942), nó faoi Airteagal 18 nó Airteagal 19 nó Airteagal 20 nó mír (4) d'Airteagal 21 d'Ordú 260 agus a bheas i bhfeidhm díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo;
ciallaíonn an abairt “Ordú 166” an tOrdú Cumhachta Práinne (Uimh. 166), 1942 (R. & O. R., Uimh. 21 de 1942);
ciallaíonn an abairt “Ordú 260” an tOrdú Cumhachta Práinne (Uimh. 260), 1943 (R. & O. R., Uimh. 50 de 1943);
ciallaíonn an briathar “oireasú”, maidir le hordú páighe (ráta caighdeánach) nó le hordú bónais, oireasú faoi alt 76 den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn an abairt “ordú páighe (ráta caighdeánach)” ordú arna dhéanamh faoi Airteagal 10 nó Airteagal 10A d'Ordú 166 nó faoi Airteagal 16 nó Airteagal 17 nó mír (3) d'Airteagal 21 d'Ordú 260 agus a bheas i bhfeidhm díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo.
Ré feidhme Coda VII.
74.—(1) Leanfaidh an Chuid seo i bhfeidhm go ceann bliana ó thosach feidhme an Achta seo agus raghaidh in éag ansin mura gcoimeádtar i bhfeidhm níos sia í le rialacháin ón Aire faoi fho-alt (2) den alt seo.
(2) Tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle le comheagrais a bheas ionadaitheach do cheardchumainn oibrithe agus le ceardchumainn a bheas ionadaitheach d'fhostóirí, féadfaidh an tAire, más oiriúnach leis, an Chuid seo a choimeád i bhfeidhm, trí rialacháin arna ndéanamh roimh dheireadh bliana ó thosach feidhme an Achta seo, go ceann pé tréimhse eile is oiriúnach leis agus a shonrós sé san ordú, agus sa chás sin leanfaidh an Chuid seo i bhfeidhm go ceann na tréimhse a bheas sonraithe amhlaidh agus raghaidh in éag ansin.
Srian le hoibriú Coda VII.
75.—Ní bhaineann an Chuid seo le hoibrithe a ndéanfaidh Aire Stáit a luach saothair a shocrú faoi aon achtachán a bheas i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire.
Orduithe páighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus orduithe bónais a oireasú.
76.—(1) I gcás ceardchumann nó aon chomhlacht daoine, a chífear don Chúirt a bheith ionadaitheach d'oibrithe lena mbaineann ordú páighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus ordú bónais, dá iarraidh ar an gCúirt na horduithe sin a oireasú faoin alt seo, bhéarfaidh an Chúirt, faoi réir fo-ailt (2) den alt seo, go ndéanfar na horduithe sin a oireasú.
(2) Ní thabharfaidh an Chúirt go ndéanfar ordú páighe (ráta caighdeánach) ná ordú bónais a oireasú faoin alt seo mura n-iarrtar, laistigh den tréimhse de cheithre mhí ó thosach feidhme an Achta seo, an t-ordú a oireasú.
(3) Aon iarratas faoin alt seo á iarraidh ordú páighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus ordú bónais a oireasú féadfar é a dhéanamh leis an bpost cláraithe agus beidh cóipeanna de na horduithe ag gabháil leis.
(4) Féadfaidh an Chúirt duine dá hoifigigh a cheapadh chun iarratais faoin alt seo a ghlacadh agus chun orduithe páighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus orduithe bónais a oireasú.
Ordú páighe ón gCúirt.
77.—(1) Féadfaidh ceardchumann nó comhlacht eile a iarraidh ar an gCúirt ordú a dhéanamh ag socrú rátaí luach saothair d'aicme oibrithe nár bhain aon ordú páighe (ráta caighdeánach) leo díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo.
(2) I gcás iarratas a dhéanamh chun na Cúirte faoin alt seo i leith aicme oibrithe, beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas—
(a) má chítear don Chúirt go bhfuil an t-iarratasóir ionadaitheach d'oibrithe den aicme sin, foilseoidh an Chúirt fógra i dtaobh an iarratais i pé slí is dóigh leis an gCúirt is fearr a chuirfeadh an t-iarratas in iúl do gach duine lena mbaineann sé;
(b) breithneoidh an Chúirt an t-iarratas agus bhéarfaidh éisteacht do gach duine a bhfeicfear don Chúirt baint a bheith aige leis agus ar mian leis éisteacht a fháil;
(c) féadfaidh an Chúirt, mar is oiriúnach léi, diúltú don iarratas nó ordú a dhéanamh ag foráil pé rátaí luach saothair is oiriúnach leis an gCúirt don aicme oibrithe sin;
(d) i gcás ina ndéanfaidh an Chúirt ordú den tsórt sin—
(i) má chuireann an t-iarratasóir in iúl don Chúirt, laistigh de shé lá déag tar éis an t-ordú a dhéanamh, ná fuil an t-ordú inghlactha, déanfaidh an Chúirt air sin an t-ordú a chúlghairm,
(ii) mura gcuire an t-iarratasóir é sin in iúl don Chúirt, beidh ag an ordú, amhail ar chríoch agus ó chríoch an sé lá déag sin, an éifeacht chéanna a bheadh aige dá mba ordú páighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus ordú bónais a hoireasaíodh é, agus
(iii) déanfar tagairtí sna hailt ina dhiaidh seo den Chuid seo d'orduithe páighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus orduithe bónais a léiriú mar thagairtí a fholaíos tagairtí d'orduithe faoin alt seo, fara na modhnuithe go mbeidh éifeacht ag tagairtí d'oireasú, maidir le hordú faoin alt seo, mar thagairtí do dhéanamh an orduithe, agus go mbeidh éifeacht ag tagairtí do chealú oireasuithe mar thagairtí do chúlghairm an orduithe.
An éifeacht a bheas ag oireasú orduithe.
78.—(1) I gcás ordú páighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus ordú bónais a oireasú, beidh éifeacht, ar feadh na tréimhse a leanfas na horduithe sin de bheith oireasaithe, ag na forála seo a leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) déanfaidh fostóir aon oibrí lena mbainfidh na horduithe sin luach saothair a íoc leis an oibrí sin do réir ráta nach ísle ná an ráta iomchuibhe a bheas sonraithe san ordú páighe (ráta caighdeánach), maille leis an mbónas a bheas sonraithe san ordú bónais;
(b) má fhorálann conradh idir aon oibrí lena mbainfidh na horduithe sin agus a fhostóir luach saothair a íoc do réir ráta (dá ngairmtear ráta an chonartha sa mhír seo) is ísle ná an ráta a bheas sonraithe san ordú páighe (ráta caighdeánach), maille leis an mbónas a bheas sonraithe san ordú bónais, beidh éifeacht ag an gconradh, i leith na tréimhse sin, amhail is dá bhforáladh sé luach saothair a íoc do réir an ráta a bheas sonraithe san ordú páighe (ráta caighdeánach) maille leis an mbónas sin in ionad ráta an chonartha;
(c) má dhéanann ceardchumann oibrithe gearán leis an gCúirt go ndearna fostóir, maidir le haon oibrí lena mbaineann na horduithe sin, faillí nó mainneachtain i mír (a) den fho-alt seo a chomhlíonadh—
(i) breithneoidh an Chúirt an gearán agus bhéarfaidh éisteacht do gach duine a bhfeicfear don Chúirt leas a bheith aige ann agus ar mian leis éisteacht a fháil,
(ii) más deimhin leis an gCúirt, tar éis an bhreithnithe sin, go bhfuil bunús maith leis an ngearán, féadfaidh an Chúirt, le hordú, a ordú, go n-íocfaidh an fostóir sin aon tsuim a bheas ag dul don oibrí i leith luach saothair do réir na n-orduithe;
(d) má dhéanann fostóir lena mbaineann na horduithe sin, nó ceardchumann a bheas ionadaitheach d'fhostóirí den tsórt sin, gearán leis an gCúirt go bhfuil ceardchumann oibrithe ag cur stailce chun cinn, nó ag cabhrú as a chistí le cothabháil stailce, arb eol d'ard-choiste bainistí an cheardchumainn oibrithe gurb é is chuspóir di a thabhairt ar fhostóir géilleadh d'éileamh go n-íocfadh sé le hoibrí lena mbaineann na horduithe luach saothair is mó ná an luach saothair a foráltar leis na horduithe, beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas:—
(i) breithneoidh an Chúirt an gearán agus bhéarfaidh éisteacht do gach duine a bhfeicfear don Chúirt leas a bheith aige ann agus ar mian leis éisteacht a fháil;
(ii) más deimhin leis an gCúirt, tar éis an bhreithnithe sin, go bhfuil bunús maith leis an ngearán—
(I) féadfaidh an Chúirt, le hordú, a ordú don cheardchumann oibrithe sin gan cabhrú as a chistí le cothabháil na stailce sin;
(II) féadfaidh an Chúirt oireasú na n-orduithe a chealú.
(2) Más rud é—
(a) go leanfaidh stailc tar éis don Chúirt ordú a dhéanamh faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo maidir leis an stailc, agus
(b) ná féadfaidh nó go ndiúltóidh comhaltaí de cheardchumann oibrithe, nach é a rátaí luach saothair is abhar don stailc, obair a dhéanamh faid a leanfas an stailc,
ansin, má híoctar sochar stailce leis na comhaltaí sin do réir rialacha an cheardchumainn, ní tuigthe, chun críocha an ailt seo, gurb ionann sin agus cabhrú, le cothabháil na stailce.
(3) Más rud é, i gcás an Chúirt do dhéanamh orduithe faoi fhomhír (ii) de mhír (c) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo nó faoi chlásal (I) d'fho-mhír (ii) de mhír (d) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo, ná comhlíonfar an t-ordachán a bheas san ordú, beidh an duine dar tugadh an t-ordachán ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann ar an slí achomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air agus, i gcás ciona leanúnaigh, fíneáil bhreise nach mó ná deich bpuint in aghaidh gach lae a leanfar den chion.
Iarratais á iarraidh orduithe páighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus orduithe bónais a hoireasaíodh a athrú.
79.—I gcás ordú páighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus ordú bónais a oireasú, beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas—
(a) féadfaidh ceardchumainn agus comhlachta eile iarratas a dhéanamh ó am go ham á iarraidh na rátaí luach saothair a bheas sonraithe sna horduithe a mhéadú;
(b) má chítear don Chúirt go bhfuil aon iarratasóir den tsórt sin ionadaitheach d'oibrithe lena mbaineann na horduithe, foilseoidh an Chúirt fógra i dtaobh an iarratais i pé slí is dóigh leis an gCúirt is fearr a chuirfeadh an t-iarratas in iúl do gach duine lena mbaineann;
(c) breithneoidh an Chúirt an t-iarratas agus bhéarfaidh éisteacht do gach duine a bhfeicfear don Chúirt baint a bheith aige leis agus ar mian leis éisteacht a fháil;
(d) féadfaidh an Chúirt, mar is oiriúnach léi, diúltú don iarratas nó ordú a dhéanamh ag foráil pé rátaí méadaithe luach saothair is oiriúnach léi;
(e) má dhéanann an Chúirt ordú den tsórt sin, sonróidh sí san ordú na ceardchumainn oibrithe nó na comhlachta atá ionadaitheach d'oibrithe (dá ngairmtear páirtithe leasmhara san alt seo) a bheas i dteideal a fhoréileamh go gcúlghairmfí an t-ordú nó go gcealófaí oireasú an orduithe pháighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus an orduithe bhónais do réir an ailt seo;
(f) má dhéanann aon pháirtí leasmhar, laistigh de shé lá déag tar éis an t-ordú a dhéanamh, fógra a thabhairt don Chúirt—
(i) go bhfuil sé á fhoréileamh go gcúlghairmfí an t-ordú, nó
(ii) go bhfuil sé á fhoréileamh go ndéanfaí an t-ordú a chúlghairm agus an t-oireasú a chealú,
déanfaidh an Chúirt do réir an fhoréilimh;
(g) mura dtuga páirtí leasmhar fógra amhlaidh don Chúirt, beidh ag an ordú páighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus ag an ordú bónais, amhail ar chríoch agus ó chríoch an sé lá déag sin, éifeacht, chun críocha ailt 78 den Acht seo, amhail is dá leasaítí iad do réir téarmaí an orduithe a rinne an Chúirt amhlaidh;
(h) má dhiúltaíonn an Chúirt don iarratas, sonróidh sí na ceardchumainn nó na comhlachta a bheas i dteideal obadh don diúltú, agus má thugann aon cheardchumann nó comhlacht den tsórt sin fógra don Chúirt, laistigh de shé lá déag tar éis an diúltuithe, go bhfuil sé ag obadh don diúltú, ansin cealóidh an Chúirt oireasú an orduithe pháige (ráta caighdeánach) agus an orduithe bhónais.
Oireasú orduithe páighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus orduithe bónais a chealú.
80.—(1) I gcás comhaontú fostaíochta, do réir bhrí Coda III den Acht seo, a bhaineas le luach saothair, a chlárú faoin gCuid sin III, cealóidh an Chúirt air sin oireasú aon orduithe pháighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus aon orduithe bhónais is dóigh leis an gCúirt a bhaineas leis an aicme chéanna oibrithe lena mbaineann an comhaontú sin.
(2) Más deimhin leis an gCúirt, ar ghearán ó dhuine ar bith, go ndearnadh ordú páighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus ordú bónais a oireasú ar iarratas ceardchumainn nó comhlachta ná raibh ionadaitheach do thromlach na n-oibrithe lena mbaineann na horduithe sin, féadfaidh sí an t-oireasú a chealú.
Sonraí a fhoilsiú.
81.—(1) Nuair a hoireasófar ordú páighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus ordú bónais, foilseoidh an Chúirt i pé slí is oiriúnach léi fógra i dtaobh an oireasuithe maraon le pé sonraí i dtaobh na n-orduithe a mheasfas an Chúirt is gá.
(2) Nuair a déanfar ordú páighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus ordú bónais a athrú le hordú faoi alt 79 den Acht seo, foilseoidh an Chúirt i pé slí is oiriúnach léi fógra i dtaobh an athruithe maraon le pé sonraí i dtaobh an athruithe a mheasfas an Chúirt is gá.
(3) Nuair a cealófar oireasú orduithe pháige (ráta caighdeánach) agus orduithe bhónais, foilseoidh an Chúirt i pé slí is oiriúnach léi fógra i dtaobh an chealuithe.
Ceisteanna áirithe a chinneadh.
82.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chúirt tráth ar bith, ar dhuine ar bith dá iarraidh sin, a breith a thabhairt ar aon cheist i dtaobh léiriú orduithe pháighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus orduithe bhónais nó i dtaobh a bhfeidhme maidir le duine áirithe.
(2) Déanfaidh cúirt dlí, nuair a bheas aon cheist á cinneadh aici a éireos in imeachta ina láthair i dtaobh léiriú orduithe pháighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus orduithe bhónais nó i dtaobh a bhfeidhme maidir le duine áirithe, aird a thabhairt ar aon bhreith a thug an Chúirt ar na horduithe sin agus a cuirfear faoina bráid i gcúrsa na n-imeacht.
(3) Má éiríonn aon cheist in imeachta i láthair cúirte dlí i dtaobh léiriú orduithe pháighe (ráta caighdeánach) agus orduithe bhónais nó i dtaobh a bhfeidhme maidir le duine áirithe, féadfaidh an chúirt dlí, más cuibhe léi, an cheist a chur faoi bhráid na Cúirte chun breith a thabhairt uirthi, agus beidh breith na Cúirte ar an gceist sin ina breith chríochnaitheach.
AN CHEAD SCEIDEAL.
Achtachain a hAthghairmtear.
Siosón agus Caibidil nó Uimhir agus Bliain | Gearr-theideal | Méid na hAthghairme |
59 & 60 Vic., c. 30 | The Conciliation Act, 1896 | An tAcht iomlán. |
9 Ed. VII, c. 22 | The Trade Boards Act, 1909 | An tAcht iomlán. |
3 & 4 Geo. V, c. clxii. | The Trade Boards Provisional Orders Confirmation Act, 1913 | An tAcht iomlán. |
8 & 9 Geo. V, c. 32 | The Trade Boards Act, 1918 | An tAcht iomlán. |
9 & 10 Geo. V, c. 69. | The Industrial Courts Act, 1919 | An tAcht iomlán. |
Alt 50. | ||
Cuid V. |
AN DARA SCEIDEAL.
Comhdheanamh, Oifigigh agus Imeachta Comhchoisti Oibreachais.
1. Sa Sceideal seo, ciallaíonn an focal “coiste” comhchoiste oibreachais.
2. (1) Beidh coiste comhdhéanta mar leanas—
(a) comhaltaí (dá ngairmtear comhaltaí neamhspleácha sa Sceideal seo) a cheapfas an tAire agus a roghnófar mar gur daoine neamhspleácha iad, eadhon—
(i) cathaoirleach, agus
(ii) beirt eile ar a mhéid, agus
(b) comhaltaí (dá ngairmtear comhaltaí ionadaitheacha sa Sceideal seo) a cheapfas an Chúirt, eadhon—
(i) pé uimhir is oiriúnach leis an gCúirt de dhaoine (dá ngairmtear comhaltaí ionadaitheacha (fostóirí) sa Sceideal seo) atá, i dtuairim na Cúirte, ionadaitheach d'fhostóirí a bhfuil an coiste le gníomhú ina leith, agus
(ii) a chomhuimhir sin de dhaoine (dá ngairmtear comhaltaí ionadaitheacha (oibrithe) sa Sceideal seo) atá, i dtuairim na Cúirte, ionadaitheach d'oibrithe a bhfuil an coiste le gníomhú ina leith.
(2) Sar a gceapfaidh an Chúirt comhalta ionadaitheach de choiste, raghaidh sí i gcomhairle, a mhéid is féidir é go réasúnach, le haon chomheagras fostóirí nó, do réir mar a bheas, le haon chomheagras oibrithe lena mbaineann an cúrsa.
(3) Beidh gach comhalta neamhspleách de choiste i seilbh oifige fad is toil leis an Aire.
(4) Má scoireann comhalta ionadaitheach, i dtuairim na Cúirte, de bheith ionadaitheach do na fostóirí nó, do réir mar a bheas, do na hoibrithe ar ceapadh é mar ionadaí dhóibh, déanfaidh an Chúirt a chomhaltas a fhorceannadh.
(5) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, as a comhairle féin, comhaltas aon chomhalta ionadaithigh de choiste a fhorceannadh.
(6) Má forceanntar comhaltas aon chomhalta ionadaithigh de choiste, scoirfidh an comhalta sin de bheith ina chomhalta den choiste.
3. Na hoifigigh agus na seirbhísigh a bheas ag teastáil chun cabhrú le coiste i bhfeidhmiú a chumhacht, is as oifigigh agus seirbhísigh na Cúirte a cuirfear ar fáil iad.
4. Ní bheidh imeachta coiste gan bhail toisc aon fholúntas a bheith sa choiste ná toisc aon locht a bheith ar cheapadh comhalta.
5. Chun cruinniú de choiste a bheith ann ní foláir comhalta neamhspleách amháin ar a laghad agus trian ar a laghad de líon iomlán na gcomhaltaí ionadaitheacha a bheith i láthair.
6. (1) Faoi réir forál na míre seo, beidh vóta amháin ag gach comhalta de choiste.
(2) Má tharlaíonn ag cruinniú ar bith de choiste nach ionann líon don ghrúpa de chomhaltaí ionadaitheacha (fostóirí) a bheas i láthair agus don ghrúpa de chomhaltaí ionadaitheacha (oibrithe) a bheas i láthair—
(a) féadfaidh pé grúpa acu sin ag a mbeidh an tromlach a shocrú go staonfaidh aon duine nó daoine dá líon ó vótáil i dtreo go mbeadh comhionannas ann,
(b) mura ndéantar aon tsocrú den tsórt sin, féadfaidh cathaoirleach an choiste nó, má bhíonn seisean as láthair, an duine a bheas ag gníomhú mar chathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú, an vótáil ar aon cheist a chur siar go dtí cruinniú eile den choiste.
(3) Ag cruinniú de choiste, beidh ag cathaoirleach an choiste nó, má bhíonn seisean as láthair, ag an duine a bheas ag gníomhú mar chathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú an dara vóta nó vóta réitigh ar aon cheist ar chomhionann an vótáil uirthi mura mbeadh sin.
7. (1) Beidh cruinnithe ag coiste i pé áiteanna agus pé trátha a chinnfeas sé ó am go ham a bheith oiriúnach chun a fheadhma faoin Acht seo a chomhlíonadh, agus féadfaidh sé aon cheann dá chruinnithe a chur ar athló.
(2) Déanfaidh coiste, lasmuigh de chás dá bhforáltar a mhalairt leis an Acht seo, pé nós imeachta a ghlacadh ag a chruinnithe agus eile, a chinnfeas sé a bheith oiriúnach chun a fheadhma faoin Acht seo a chomhlíonadh.
8. (1) Féadfaidh coiste, le toiliú na Cúirte, fo-choistí a cheapadh chun cabhrú leis.
(2) Féadfaidh fo-choiste de choiste a bheith comhdhéanta de chomhaltaí den choiste agus de pé daoine eile a cheapfas an coiste le toiliú na Cúirte.
(3) Is tuigthe gur fo-choiste arna cheapadh faoi fho-mhír (1) den mhír seo coiste ceirde ceantair a rinne coiste, nuair ba bhord ceirde é, a bhunú faoi na Trade Boards Acts, 1909 and 1918.
9. Féadfaidh aon chomhalta den Chúirt bheith i láthair ag cruinniú de choiste agus beidh ceart aige páirt a ghlacadh sna himeachta ach ní bheidh ceart vótála aige.
10. Féadfar pé luach saothar agus liúntais (lena n-áirítear cúiteamh i gcailliúint ama) a chinnfeas an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, a íoc le comhaltaí de choiste nó d'fho-choiste.
Number 26 of 1946.
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1946.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General.
Section | |
The Labour Court.
Agreements Relating to Wages and Conditions of Employment.
Adaptation of contracts of service consequential upon registration of employment agreement. | |
Publication of particulars in relation to employment agreements and right to obtain copies thereof. | |
Regulation by the Court of Remuneration and Conditions of Employment of Certain Workers.
Definitions.
Joint Labour Committees.
Constitution, officers and proceedings of joint labour committees. |
Employment Regulation Orders.
Provisions in relation to trade boards.
Determination of certain questions.
Standard wages for areas.
Registered Joint Industrial Councils.
Appointment of chairman and secretary of a joint industrial council. | |
Trade Disputes.
Transitory Provisions in Relation to Wages (Standard Rate) Orders and Bonus Orders under Emergency Powers (No. 166) Order, 1942, and Emergency Powers (No. 260) Order, 1943.
Applications for variation of recorded wages (standard rate) orders and bonus orders. | |
Cancellation of recording of wages (standard rate) order and bonus order. | |
Acts Referred to | |
No. 22 of 1941 | |
No. 17 of 1942 | |
No. 53 of 1936 | |
No. 24 of 1925 | |
No. 23 of 1942 | |
Number 26 of 1946.
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1946.
PART I.
Preliminary and General.
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Industrial Relations Act, 1946.
Commencement.
2.—This Act shall come into operation on the day appointed for the purpose by order of the Minister.
Definitions generally.
3.—In this Act—
the expression “the Court” means the Labour Court;
the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Industry and Commerce;
the word “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under this Act;
the expression “registered joint industrial council” has the meaning given to it by section 59 of this Act;
the expression “trade dispute” means any dispute or difference between employers and workers or between workers and workers connected with the employment or non-employment, or the terms of the employment, or with the conditions of employment, of any person;
the expression “trade union” means a trade union which is the holder of a negotiation licence granted under the Trade Union Act, 1941 (No. 22 of 1941).
“worker”.
4.—(1) In this Act (except Part VI) the word “worker” means any person of the age of fourteen years or upwards who has entered into or works under a contract with an employer whether the contract be for manual labour, clerical work, or otherwise, be expressed or implied, oral or in writing, and whether it be a contract of service or of apprenticeship or a contract personally to execute any work or labour, other than—
(a) a person who is employed by or under the State, or
(b) a teacher in a secondary school, or
(c) a teacher in a national school, or
(d) a person who is employed by a local authority in any office or employment, or
(e) an officer or servant of a vocational education committee, or
(f) an officer or servant of a committee of agriculture, or
(g) an officer of a school attendance committee, or
(h) an agricultural worker, within the meaning of the Agricultural Wages Act, 1936 (No. 53 of 1936).
(2) For the purposes of this section, each of the following bodies (whether corporate or unincorporated) shall be a local authority—
(a) a council of a county, a corporation of a county or other borough, a council of an urban district, a public assistance authority, the commissioners of a town, a port sanitary authority,
(b) a committee or joint committee or board or joint board appointed (whether before or after the passing of this Act) by or under statute to perform the functions or any of the functions of one or more of the bodies mentioned in paragraph (a) of this subsection, and
(c) a committee or joint committee or board or joint board, of or appointed by one or more of the bodies mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection, but not including a vocational education committee, a committee of agriculture, or a school attendance committee.
Regulations.
5.—The Minister may make regulations in relation to anything referred to in this Act as prescribed.
Laying of regulations before Houses of the Oireachtas.
6.—Every regulation made under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the regulation is passed by either House, within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the regulation has been laid before it, the regulation shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Prosecutions by the Minister.
7.—An offence under any section or subsection contained in this Act may be prosecuted by the Minister.
Repeals.
8.—The enactments specified in the second column of the First Schedule to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.
Expenses.
9.—The expenses incurred in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
PART II.
The Labour Court.
Establishment of the Labour Court.
10.—(1) There shall be a body, to be known as the Labour Court, to fulfil the functions assigned to it by this Act.
(2) The Court shall consist of a chairman (in this Act referred to as the chairman) and four ordinary members (in this Act referred to as the ordinary members) of whom two shall be workers' members and two shall be employers' members.
(3) The chairman shall be appointed by the Minister and shall hold office on such terms as shall be fixed by the Minister when appointing him.
(4) The Minister shall, in respect of each workers' member, designate an organisation representative of trade unions of workers to nominate a person for appointment, and, in respect of each employers' member, designate a trade union of employers to nominate a person for appointment and the Minister shall appoint the person so nominated.
(5) If, when a particular appointment of workers' members (or, in the event of a casual vacancy, a workers' member) is to be made—
(a) more than one organisation representative of trade unions of workers is in being, and
(b) the Minister is of opinion that it is undesirable that the appointment should be made under subsection (4) of this section,
he may, by regulations, declare that the appointment, instead of being made under the said subsection (4), shall be made under this subsection, and thereupon the following provisions shall have effect—
(i) the Minister shall invite trade unions of workers and organisations representative of trade unions of workers to nominate persons for appointment, and
(ii) he shall make the appointment from amongst the persons so nominated.
(6) The Civil Service Regulation Acts, 1924 and 1926, shall not apply to the office of chairman or ordinary member of the Court.
(7) An ordinary member shall, unless he dies, resigns or is removed, hold office—
(a) if appointed under subsection (4) of this section, for such period, not exceeding five years, as shall be fixed by the Minister when appointing him,
(b) if appointed under subsection (5) of this section, for five years or, if the regulations, by virtue of which he was appointed, are sooner revoked or annulled, until such revocation or annulment.
(8) An ordinary member may be removed from office by the Minister for stated reasons but, if the organisation by which he was nominated is in being, only with the consent of that organisation.
(9) The chairman and the ordinary members shall be paid such remuneration and allowances as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, determines.
(10) The Chairman shall devote the whole of his time to the work of the Court.
(11) An ordinary member shall not hold the office of trustee, treasurer, secretary or any other office in, or be a member of any committee of, a trade union, or hold any office or employment which would prevent him from being at all times available for the work of the Court.
(12) A person shall not be appointed to be chairman or a member of the court unless he is ordinarily resident in the State.
Divisions of the Court.
11.—Whenever the chairman is of opinion that for the speedy dispatch of the business of the Court it is expedient that the Court should act by divisions, he may direct accordingly, and, until he revokes his direction—
(a) the Court shall be grouped into—
(i) a first division, consisting of the chairman (who shall be chairman of the division) and a workers', member and an employers' member selected by him, and
(ii) a second division, consisting of the deputy chairman (who shall be chairman of the division), the other workers' member and the other employers' member;
(b) the chairman shall assign to each division the business to be transacted by it;
(c) for the purpose of the business so assigned to it, each division shall have all the powers of the Court and the chairman of the division shall have all the powers of the chairman and references in this Act to the Court and the chairman shall be construed as including references to a division and the chairman of a division, respectively.
12.—(1) The Minister shall appoint a deputy for the chairman who shall hold office on such terms as shall be fixed by the Minister when appointing him.
(2) The deputy chairman shall, in the absence of the chairman, act in his place and references in this Act to the chairman shall be construed as including references to the deputy chairman so acting.
(3) No person shall be appointed to be deputy chairman unless he is ordinarily resident in the State.
(4) The deputy chairman may be paid such fees as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, determines.
Registrar and officers and servants of the Court.
13.—(1) (a) The Minister shall appoint to be registrar of the Court a practising barrister or practising solicitor of not less than ten years' standing.
(b) For the purposes of paragraph (a) of this subsection, service in a situation in the Civil Service, for appointment to which only barristers and solicitors were eligible, shall be treated as practice as a barrister or solicitor.
(2) The Minister, after consultation with the Court and with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may appoint such officers and servants of the Court as he thinks necessary to assist the Court in the performance of its functions.
(3) The registrar, officers and servants of the Court shall hold office on such terms and receive such remuneration as the Minister for Finance determines.
Technical assessors.
14.—(1) The Court may appoint technical assessors to assist it on any matter relating to proceedings before the Court.
(2) Technical assessors shall be paid such fees as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, determines.
Places for sittings of the Court and lodgment of documents.
15.—(1) The headquarters of the Court shall be at Dublin, but sittings of the Court may be held elsewhere in the State.
(2) The Court may designate suitable places at which documents for the Court may be lodged.
Conciliation officers.
16.—The Court may appoint officers of the Court to act as Conciliation Officers.
Finality of decisions of the Court.
17.—No appeal shall lie from the decision of the Court on any matter within its jurisdiction to a court of law.
Seal of the Court.
18.—(1) The Court shall have an official seal which shall be judicially noticed.
(2) The seal of the Court shall, when affixed to any document, be authenticated by the signature of the chairman or the registrar of the Court or of a person authorised by the Court to authenticate it.
(3) Every document purporting to express an order, award or other decision of the Court and to be sealed with the seal of the Court authenticated in accordance with this section shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to have been duly and lawfully so sealed and shall, unless as aforesaid, be received in evidence as such order, award or decision without further proof and, in particular, without proof of any signature affixed to such document for the purpose of such authentication and without proof of the office or authority of the person whose signature such signature purports to be.
Proof of orders of the Court.
19.—(1) Section 4 of the Documentary Evidence Act, 1925 (No. 24 of 1925), shall apply to every order of the Court.
(2) Subsection (1) of section 6 of the Documentary Evidence Act, 1925, is hereby amended by adding to the official documents mentioned in that subsection orders of the Court, and the said section 6 shall have effect accordingly.
Procedure of the Court.
20.—(1) Subject to section 11 of this Act and subsection (2) of this section, the quorum for a meeting or sitting of the Court shall be five.
(2) The chairman may direct that, for the consideration of a particular matter, the Court shall consist of the chairman and two ordinary members selected by him, namely, a workers' member and an employers' member, and, if the chairman so directs, no other member shall act as a member of the Court in respect of that matter.
(3) Where—
(a) any question arises under this Act at a meeting or sitting of the Court, and
(b) the members of the Court are unable to agree upon the determination of the question,
the following provisions shall have effect—
(i) if the majority of the ordinary members agree upon the determination of the question, the question shall be determined accordingly,
(ii) if a majority of the ordinary members do not agree, but a majority of all the members agree, the question shall be determined, accordingly,
(iii) otherwise, the question shall be determined in accordance with the opinion of the chairman.
(4) The decision of the Court shall be pronounced by the chairman or such other member as the chairman shall authorise for the purpose, and no other opinion, whether assenting or dissenting, shall be pronounced nor shall the existence of any such other opinion be disclosed.
(5) Subject to this section, the Court may make rules for the regulation of its proceedings.
(6) Rules under this section may provide for the cases in which persons may appear before the Court by counsel or solicitor and, except as so provided, no person shall be entitled to appear by counsel or solicitor before the Court.
(7) The Court may hold any sitting or part of a sitting in private.
Power of Court to summon witnesses, etc.
21.—(1) The Court may for the purposes of any proceedings before it under this Act do all or any of the following things—
(a) summon witnesses to attend before it,
(b) examine on oath (which a member or the registrar of the Court is hereby authorised to administer) the witnesses attending before it,
(c) require any such witness to produce to the Court any document in his power or control.
(2) A witness before the Court shall be entitled to the same immunities and privileges as if he were a witness before the High Court.
(3) If any person—
(a) on being duly summoned as a witness before the Court makes default in attending, or
(b) being in attendance as a witness refuses to take an oath legally required by the Court to be taken, or to produce any document in his power or control legally required by the Court to be produced by him, or to answer any question to which the Court may legally require an answer,
he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding ten pounds.
(4) Where a witness attends before the Court in pursuance of a summons under this section, the Minister may, if he thinks fit, pay to him such sum in respect of expenses incurred by him in connection with his attendance as the Minister, with the sanction of the Minister for Finance, determines.
Prohibition on disclosure of information.
22.—The Court shall not include in any report any information obtained by it in the course of any proceedings before it under this Act as to any trade union or as to the business carried on by any person which is not available otherwise than through evidence given at the proceedings, without the consent of the trade union or persons concerned, nor shall any member of the Court or the registrar or any officer or servant of the Court or any person concerned in the proceedings, without such consent, disclose any such information.
Reports, etc., by Court.
23.—(1) The Court shall, as soon as may be after the expiration of each year, make to the Government a general report (in this section referred to as an annual report) of its proceedings under this Act during that year.
(2) The Court shall include in each annual report any observations it may wish to make on the trend of wages rates.
(3) An annual report shall contain particulars, of each registered joint industrial council together with the name of the secretary of the council and the address of its principal office.
(4) A copy of each annual report shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
(5) The Court shall furnish to the Minister a copy of each order, recommendation and award made by the Court under this Act as soon as may be after it is made.
Duty of Court to consider certain matters with regard to employment conditions referred to it by the Minister.
24.—The Court shall consider any matter referred to it by the Minister concerning the employment conditions prevailing as regards the workers of any class and their employers and shall furnish a report thereon to the Minister together with such recommendations (if any) as it thinks proper, and the Minister shall consider any report and recommendation so made.
PART III.
Agreements Relating to Wages and Conditions of Employment.
Definitions for purposes of Part III.
25.—In this Part—
the expression “employment agreement” means an agreement relating to the remuneration or the conditions of employment of workers of any class, type or group made between a trade union of workers and an employer or trade union of employers or made, at a meeting of a registered joint industrial council, between members of the council representative of workers and members of the council representative of employers;
the expression “the register” means the Register of Employment Agreements;
the word “registered”, in relation to an employment agreement, means for the time being registered in the register;
the expression “registered employment agreement” means an employment agreement for the time being registered in the register.
Register of Employment Agreements.
26.—The Court shall maintain a register to be known as the Register of Employment Agreements.
Registration of employment agreements.
27.—(1) Any party to an employment agreement may apply to the Court to register the agreement in the register.
(2) Every application to register an employment agreement shall be accompanied by a copy of the agreement.
(3) Where an application is duly made to the Court to register in the register an employment agreement, the Court shall, subject to the provisions of this section, register the agreement in the register if it is satisfied—
(a) that, in the case of an agreement to which there are two parties only, both parties consent to its registration and, in the case of an agreement to which there are more than two parties, there is substantial agreement amongst the parties representing the interests of workers and employers, respectively, that it should be registered,
(b) that the agreement is expressed to apply to all workers of a particular class, type or group and their employers where the Court is satisfied that it is a normal and desirable practice or that it is expedient to have a separate agreement for that class, type or group,
(c) that the parties to the agreement are substantially representative of such workers and employers,
(d) that the agreement is not intended to restrict unduly employment generally or the employment of workers of a particular class, type or group or to ensure or protect the retention in use of inefficient or unduly costly machinery or methods of working,
(e) that the agreement provides that if a trade dispute occurs between workers to whom the agreement relates and their employers a strike or lock-out shall not take place until the dispute has been submitted for settlement by negotiation in the manner specified in the agreement, and
(f) that the agreement is in a form suitable for registration.
(4) Where an application is made to the Court to register an employment agreement, the Court shall direct such parties thereto as the Court shall specify to publish specified particulars of the agreement in such manner as, in the opinion of the Court, is best calculated to bring the application to the notice of all persons concerned.
(5) (a) The Court shall not register an employment agreement until the lapse of fourteen days after publication of particulars of the agreement in accordance with subsection (4) of this section.
(b) If within that period the Court receives notice of an objection to the agreement being registered, the Court shall, unless it considers the objection frivolous, consider the objection and shall hear all parties appearing to the Court to be interested and desiring to be heard, and if, after such consideration, the Court is satisfied that the agreement does not comply with the requirements specified in subsection (3) of this section, the Court shall refuse to register the agreement.
(6) A registered employment agreement shall not prejudice any rights as to rates of remuneration or conditions of employment conferred on any worker by another Part of this Act or by any other Act.
Variation of registered employment agreement.
28.—(1) If a registered employment agreement provides for the variation of the agreement in accordance with this section, any party to the agreement may apply to the Court to vary it in its application to any worker or workers to whom it applies.
(2) Where an application is made under this section to vary an agreement, the following provisions shall have effect:—
(a) the Court shall consider the application and shall hear all persons appearing to the Court to be interested and desiring to be heard;
(b) after such consideration, the Court may, as it thinks fit, refuse the application or make an order varying the agreement in such manner as it thinks proper;
(c) if the Court makes an order varying the agreement, the agreement shall, as from such date not being earlier than the date of the order as the Court specifies in the order, have effect as so varied.
Cancellation of registration.
29.—(1) The registration of an employment agreement may be cancelled by the Court on the joint application of all parties thereto if the Court is satisfied that the consent of all such parties to its cancellation has been given voluntarily.
(2) The Court may cancel the registration of an employment agreement if satisfied that there has been such substantial change in the circumstances of the trade or business to which it relates since the registration of the agreement that it is undesirable to maintain registration.
(3) Where a registered employment agreement does not provide for its duration or termination, the Court may, after the lapse of twelve months from the date of registration, cancel the registration on the application, made after six months' notice to the Court, of all parties thereto representative of workers or of employers.
(4) (a) Where a registered employment agreement is expressed to be for a specified period, it shall, if in force at the end of that period, and notwithstanding any provision that it shall cease to have effect at the expiration of such period, continue in force until its registration is cancelled in accordance with this Part.
(b) The registration of an employment agreement continued in force under paragraph (a) of this subsection may be cancelled by the Court on the application of any party thereto, made after three months' notice to the Court, and consented to by all parties thereto representative of workers or of employers.
(5) Where a registered employment agreement is terminated by any party thereto in accordance with its terms, the Court shall, on receiving notice of the termination, cancel the registration.
Adaptation of contracts of service consequential upon registration of employment agreement.
30.—(1) A registered employment agreement shall, so long as it continues to be registered, apply, for the purposes of this section, to every worker of the class, type or group to which it is expressed to apply, and his employer, notwithstanding that such worker or employer is not a party to the agreement or would not, apart from this subsection, be bound thereby.
(2) If a contract between a worker of a class, type or group to which a registered employment agreement applies and his employer provides for the payment of remuneration at a rate (in this subsection referred to as the contract rate) less than the rate (in this subsection referred to as the agreement rate) provided by such agreement and applicable to such worker, the contract shall, in respect of any period during which the agreement is registered, have effect as if the agreement rate were substituted for the contract rate.
(3) If a contract between a worker of a class, type or group to which a registered employment agreement applies and his employer provides for conditions of employment (in this subsection referred to as the contract conditions) less favourable than the conditions (in this subsection referred to as the agreement conditions) fixed by the agreement and applicable to such worker, the contract shall in respect of any period during which the agreement is registered, have effect as if the agreement conditions were substituted for the contract conditions.
Publication of particulars in relation to employment agreements and right to obtain copies thereof.
31.—(1) When an employment agreement is registered the Court shall publish in such manner as it thinks fit notice of the registration together with such particulars of the agreement as the Court considers necessary.
(2) When a registered employment agreement is varied the Court shall publish in such manner as it thinks fit notice of the variation together with such particulars of the variation as the Court considers necessary.
(3) When the registration of an employment agreement is cancelled the Court shall publish in such manner as it thinks fit notice of the cancellation.
(4) The Court may from time to time publish in such manner as it thinks fit lists of registered employment agreements together with such particulars of the agreements as the Court considers necessary.
(5) The Court shall cause to be supplied to any person who applies therefor and pays the prescribed fee a copy of a registered employment agreement.
Breaches of registered employment agreements.
32.—(1) If a trade union representative of workers affected by a registered employment agreement complains to the Court that any employer of any class to which the agreement relates has failed or neglected to comply with the agreement, the following provisions shall have effect—
(a) the Court shall consider the complaint, and shall hear all persons appearing to the Court to be interested and desiring to be heard;
(b) if, after such consideration, the Court is satisfied that the complaint is well-founded, the Court may by order direct the said employer to do such things (including the payment of any sum due to a worker for remuneration in accordance with the agreement) as will in the opinion of the Court result in the said agreement being complied with by the said employer.
(2) If an employer or a trade union representative of employers affected by a registered employment agreement complains to the Court that a trade union representative of workers affected by the agreement is promoting or assisting out of its funds in the maintenance of a strike which to the knowledge of the general committee of management of the trade union of workers is in contravention of the agreement and which has for its object the enforcement of a demand on an employer to grant to a worker remuneration or conditions other than those fixed by the agreement, the following provisions shall have effect—
(a) the Court shall consider the complaint and shall hear all persons appearing to the Court to be interested and desiring to be heard;
(b) if, after such consideration, the Court is satisfied that the complaint is well-founded—
(i) the Court may, by order, direct the said trade union of workers to refrain from assisting out of its funds in the maintenance of the said strike;
(ii) the Court may cancel the registration of the agreement.
(3) Where—
(a) a strike continues after the Court has made an order under subsection (2) of this section in respect of the strike, and
(b) members of a trade union of workers, whose rates of remuneration or conditions of employment are not the subject of the strike, are unable or decline to work while the strike continues,
then, the payment to those members of strike benefit in accordance with the rules of the trade union shall not be regarded, for the purposes of this section, as assisting in the maintenance of the strike.
(4) If, where an order is made by the Court under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section or under subparagraph (i) of paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of this section, the direction contained in the order is not carried out, the person to whom the direction is given shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds, and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding ten pounds for every day during which the offence is continued.
Interpretation of registered employment agreements.
33.—(1) The Court may at any time, on the application of any person, give its decision on any question as to the interpretation of a registered employment agreement or its application to a particular person.
(2) A court of law, in determining any question arising in proceedings before it as to the interpretation of a registered employment agreement or its application to a particular person, shall have regard to any decision of the Court on the said agreement referred to it in the course of the proceedings.
(3) If any question arises in proceedings before a court of law as to the interpretation of a registered employment agreement or its application to a particular person, the court of law may, if it thinks proper, refer the question to the Court for its decision, and the decision of the Court thereon shall be final.
PART IV.
Regulation by the Court of Remuneration and Conditions of Employment of Certain Workers.
Definitions.
Definitions for purposes of Part IV.
34.—In this Part—
the expression “employment regulation order” means an order made under section 43 of this Act;
the expression “establishment order” means an order made under section 35 of this Act;
the word “inspector” means a person appointed an inspector under section 51 of this Act;
the expression “joint labour committee” means a committee established under section 35 of this Act;
the expression “statutory conditions of employment” means, in relation to a worker to whom an employment regulation order, which fixes conditions of employment, applies, the conditions of employment fixed by the order in respect of that worker;
the expression “statutory minimum remuneration” means, in relation to a worker to whom an employment regulation order, which fixes remuneration, applies, the remuneration fixed by the order in respect of that worker.
Joint Labour Committees.
Power of the Court to establish joint labour committees.
35.—Subject to the provisions of this Part, the Court may by order establish a committee to perform, in relation to the class, type or group of workers described in the order and their employers, the functions assigned to it by this Part.
Applications for establishment orders.
36.—An application for the establishment of a joint labour committee with respect to any workers and their employers may be made to the Court by—
(a) the Minister, or
(b) a trade union, or
(c) any organisation or group of persons claiming to be representative of such workers or of such employers.
Restrictions on making establishment orders.
37.—The Court shall not make an establishment order in respect of any workers and their employers unless the Court is satisfied—
(a) in case the application is made by an organisation or a group of persons claiming to be representative of such workers or such employers, that the claim is well-founded, and
(b) that either—
(i) there is substantial agreement between such workers and their employers to the establishment of a joint labour committee, or
(ii) the existing machinery for effective regulation of remuneration and other conditions of employment of such workers is inadequate or is likely to cease or to cease to be adequate, or
(iii) having regard to the existing rates of remuneration or conditions of employment of such workers or any of them, it is expedient that a joint labour committee should be established
Inquiry into application for an establishment order.
38.—Where an application is duly made to the Court for an establishment order, the Court shall consider such application and, subject to section 37 of this Act, the following provisions shall have effect—
(a) the Court shall, after consultation with such parties as it thinks necessary, prepare a draft establishment order (in this section referred to as the draft),
(b) the Court shall publish in the prescribed manner a notice setting out—
(i) that the Court proposes to hold an inquiry into the application,
(ii) the day (which shall not be earlier than thirty days or later than forty-five days from the date of the publication of the notice) and time and place at which the inquiry will be held,
(iii) the place where copies of the draft may be obtained,
(c) objections to the draft may, before the date for the holding of the inquiry, be submitted to the Court, and every such objection shall be in writing and state the grounds of objections and the omissions, additions or modifications asked for,
(d) the Court shall hold the inquiry on the day so specified in the notice and consider any objections to the draft which have been submitted in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section.
Making of establishment orders.
39.—(1) Where the Court has held, in pursuance of section 38 of this Act, an inquiry into an application for an establishment order, the Court may, subject to section 37 of this Act, if it thinks fit make the order either in terms of the draft prepared in accordance with the said section 38 or with such modifications of the said terms as it considers necessary.
(2) Where the Court makes an establishment order, it shall publish the order in the prescribed manner, and the order shall come into operation on the date on which it is so published or such later date (not being later than fourteen days after the date on which it is so published) as is specified therein.
Revocation and variation of establishment orders.
40.—Where an establishment order in respect of any workers and their employers is in force, the Court, on the application (which shall specify the grounds on which it is made) of—
(a) the Minister, or
(b) any trade union, or
(c) any organisation or group of persons which claims to be and is, in the opinion of the Court, representative of such workers or of such employers,
may by order abolish the joint labour committee established by such establishment order or amend such establishment order, and the provisions of section 38 and section 39 of this Act shall apply in relation to such application and to the order (if any) made under this section as if the application were an application under section 38 and the order were an establishment order.
Constitution, officers and proceedings of joint labour committees.
41.—The provisions set out in the Second Schedule to this Act shall have effect with respect to the constitution, officers and proceedings of joint labour committees.
Employment Regulation Orders.
Proposals by joint labour committees in relation to remuneration and conditions of employment.
42.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, a joint labour committee may submit to the Court proposals for fixing the minimum rates of remuneration to be paid either generally or for any particular work to all or any of the workers in relation to whom the committee operates, and such proposals may provide for a minimum weekly remuneration for all or any of such workers.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this section, a joint labour committee may submit to the Court proposals for regulating the conditions of employment of all or any of the workers in relation to whom the committee operates.
(3) A joint labour committee shall not submit proposals under this section for revoking or amending an employment regulation order unless the order has been in force for at least six months.
Making of employment regulation orders.
43.—(1) Where the Court receives from a joint labour committee proposals under subsection (1) or subsection (2) of section 42 of this Act or under both those subsections, the Court shall consider them and thereupon the following provisions shall have effect—
(a) the Court may, if it thinks fit, refer the proposals back to the committee with such observations thereon as the Court thinks proper, and in that case, the committee shall reconsider the proposals having regard to such observations and may, if it thinks fit, re-submit the proposals to the Court either without amendment or with such amendments as it thinks fit having regard to those observations;
(b) if the Court does not so refer the proposals back to the committee or, having so referred them back, the committee re-submit them to the Court with or without amendment, the Court shall publish in the prescribed manner a notice setting out—
(i) that the proposals have been submitted,
(ii) the place where copies of the proposals may be obtained, and
(iii) that representations with respect to the proposals may be made to the committee within the period of thirty days after the date of such publication;
(c) where the said notice is published and any representations with respect to the proposals are made to the committee within the said period, the committee shall consider the representations and may, if it thinks fit, re-submit the proposals with or without amendment to the Court;
(d) where the said notice is published and either no representations are so made within the said period or the committee re-submits the proposals under paragraph (c) of this subsection, the Court may, as it thinks fit, either make an order giving effect to the proposals as from such date (subsequent to the date of the order) as the Court thinks proper and specifies in the order or refuse to make an order.
(2) As soon as the Court makes an employment regulation order, it shall publish notice of the making of the order and the contents thereof in the prescribed manner.
(3) An employment regulation order shall not prejudice any rights as to rates of remuneration or conditions of employment conferred on any worker by another Part of this Act or by any other Act.
(4) An employment regulation order may amend or revoke any previous employment regulation order.
(5) An employment regulation order may contain different provisions for different descriptions of workers.
Adaptation of contracts of service consequential upon employment regulation orders.
44.—(1) The employer of a worker to whom an employment regulation order applies, shall—
(a) in case the order fixes remuneration, pay to such worker remuneration not less than the statutory minimum remuneration,
(b) in case the order fixes conditions of employment, grant to such worker conditions of employment not less favourable than the statutory conditions of employment.
(2) If a contract between a worker (being a worker to whom an employment regulation order, which fixes remuneration, applies) and his employer provides for the payment of less remuneration than the statutory minimum remuneration, the contract shall have effect as if the statutory minimum remuneration were substituted for the less remuneration.
(3) If a contract between a worker (being a worker to whom an employment regulation order, which fixes conditions of employment, applies) and his employer provides for conditions of employment (in this subsection referred to as the contract conditions) less favourable than the statutory conditions of employment, the contract shall have effect as if the statutory conditions of employment were substituted for the contract conditions.
Enforcement of employment regulation orders.
45.—(1) If an employer fails to pay to a worker (being a worker to whom an employment regulation order, which fixes remuneration, applies) remuneration not less than the statutory minimum remuneration, the employer shall be guilty of an offence under this subsection and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.
(2) Where the employer or any other person charged, in accordance with section 50 of this Act, as a person to whose act or default the offence was due has been found guilty of an offence under subsection (1) of this section consisting of a failure to pay to a worker remuneration not less than the statutory minimum remuneration, the court by which he is convicted may order the employer to pay to the worker such sum as is found by the said court to represent the difference between the statutory minimum remuneration and the remuneration actually paid.
(3) If, in respect of any worker (being a worker to whom an employment regulation order, which fixes conditions of employment, applies), the statutory conditions of employment are not complied with by the employer—
(a) the employer shall be guilty of an offence under this subsection and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds,
(b) the court by which the employer is convicted may order the employer to pay to the worker such compensation as it considers fair and reasonable in respect of such non-compliance.
(4) Where proceedings are taken under subsection (1) of this section in respect of an offence consisting of a failure to pay to a worker remuneration not less than the statutory minimum remuneration, and notice of intention to avail of paragraph (a) of this subsection has been served with the summons, warrant or complaint—
(a) evidence may, if the employer or any other person charged, in accordance with section 50 of this Act, as a person to whose act or default the offence was due is found guilty of the offence, be given of any like contravention on the part of the employer in respect of any period during the three years immediately preceding the date of the offence, and
(b) on proof of such contravention, the court before which the proceedings are taken may order the employer to pay to the worker such sum as is found by the said court to represent the difference between the amount which ought to have been paid during that period to the worker by way of remuneration, if the worker were paid remuneration in accordance with the statutory minimum remuneration, and the amount actually so paid.
(5) In any proceedings against a person under subsection (1) of this section it shall lie with such person to prove that he has paid remuneration not less than the statutory minimum remuneration.
(6) In any proceedings against a person under subsection (3) of this section it shall lie with such person to prove that he has complied with the statutory conditions of employment.
(7) The powers given by this section for the recovery of sums due by an employer to a worker shall not be in derogation of any right of the worker to recover such sums in civil proceedings.
Permits authorising employment of infirm and incapacitated persons at less than the statutory minimum remuneration.
46.—(1) If, as respects any worker employed or desiring to be employed in such circumstances that an employment regulation order which fixes remuneration applies or will apply to him, the appropriate joint labour committee is satisfied, on application being made to it for a permit under this section either by the worker or the employer or a prospective employer, that the worker is affected by infirmity or physical incapacity which renders him incapable of earning the statutory minimum remuneration, the committee may, if it thinks fit, grant, subject to such conditions (if any) as it may determine, a permit authorising his employment at less than the statutory minimum remuneration, and while the permit is in force the remuneration authorised to be paid to him by the permit shall, if those conditions are complied with, be deemed, for the purposes of this Act, to be the statutory minimum remuneration.
(2) Where an employer employs any worker in reliance on any document purporting to be a permit granted under subsection (1) of this section authorising the employment of that worker at less than the statutory minimum remuneration, then, if the employer has notified the joint labour committee in question that, relying on that document, he is employing or proposing to employ that worker at a specified remuneration, the document shall, notwithstanding that it is not or is no longer a valid permit relating to that worker, be deemed, subject to the terms thereof and as respects only any period after the notification, to be such a permit until notice to the contrary is received by the employer from the committee.
Computation of remuneration.
47.—(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, any reference in this Part to remuneration shall be construed as a reference to the amount obtained or to be obtained in cash by the worker from his employer clear of all deductions in respect of any matter whatsoever, except any deductions lawfully made under any enactment for the time being in force requiring or authorising deductions to be made from remuneration.
(2) Subject to any enactment for the time being in force, an employment regulation order may authorise specified benefits or advantages, provided for a worker by or on behalf of his employer, to be reckoned as payment of remuneration by the employer in lieu, of payment in cash and such order shall define the monetary value at which every such benefit and advantage is to be reckoned.
Employers not to receive premiums from apprentices or learners.
48.—(1) (a) Where a worker (being a worker to whom an employment regulation order, which fixes remuneration, applies) is an apprentice or a learner, it shall not be lawful for his employer to receive directly or indirectly from him, or on his behalf or on his account, any payment by way of premium.
(b) Nothing in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall apply to any such payment as is referred to therein duly made in pursuance of any instrument of apprenticeship approved for the purpose of this subsection by a joint labour committee.
(2) If any employer receives any payment by way of premium in contravention of this section he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds, and the court by which he is convicted may, in addition to the fine, order him to pay to the worker or other person by whom the payment was made the sum received by way of premium.
Records and notices.
49.—(1) The employer of any workers to whom an employment regulation order applies shall keep such records as are necessary to show whether or not the provisions of this Part are being complied with as respects them, and the records shall be retained by the employer for three years.
(2) The employer of any workers shall post in the prescribed manner such notices as may be prescribed for the purpose of informing them of any proposals under section 42 of this Act affecting such workers or any employment regulation order affecting such workers and shall give notice in any other manner which may be prescribed to the said workers of the said matters and of such other matters, if any, as may be prescribed.
(3) If an employer fails to comply with any of the requirements of this section, he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds.
Criminal liability of agent and superior employer and special defence open to employer.
50.—(1) Where the immediate employer of any worker is himself in the employment of some other person and the worker is employed on the premises of that other person, that other person shall for the purposes of this Part be deemed to be the employer of the worker jointly with the immediate employer.
(2) Where an employer is charged with an offence under any section or subsection contained in this Part, he shall be entitled, upon information duly laid by him and on giving to the prosecution not less than three days' notice of his intention, to have any other person to whose act or default he alleges that the offence was due brought before the court hearing the charge at the time appointed for the hearing of the charge, and thereupon the following provisions shall have effect—
(a) if, after the commission of the offence has been proved, the employer proves that the offence was due to the act or the default of that other person, that other person may be convicted of the offence,
(b) if the employer further proves that he has used all due diligence to secure that this Part and any relevant regulation or order made thereunder were complied with, he shall be acquitted of the offence.
(3) Where a defendant seeks to avail himself of subsection (2) of this section—
(a) the prosecution, as well as the person whom the defendant charges with the offence, shall have the right to cross-examine him, if he gives evidence, and any witnesses called by him in support of his pleas and to call rebutting evidence,
(b) the court hearing the charge may make such order as it thinks fit for the payment of costs by any party to the proceedings to any other party thereto.
(4) Where—
(a) it appears to an inspector that an offence has been committed in respect of which proceedings might be taken under this Part against an employer, and
(b) the inspector is reasonably satisfied that the offence of which complaint is made was due to an act or default of some other person, and that the employer could establish a defence under subsection (2) of this section,
the following provisions shall have effect—
(i) the inspector may cause proceedings to be taken against that other person without first causing proceedings to be taken against the employer,
(ii) if such proceedings are so taken, that other person may therein be charged with and, on proof that the offence was due to his act or default, be convicted of the offence with which the employer might have been charged.
Inspectors.
51.—(1) The Minister may appoint such and so many persons as he thinks fit to be inspectors for the purposes of this Part.
(2) Every inspector shall be furnished by the Minister with a certificate of his appointment and when exercising any of the powers conferred on him by this Part shall, if so required by any person affected, produce such certificate to him.
Powers of inspectors.
52.—(1) An inspector may, for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Part, do all or any of the following things, that is to say:—
(a) enter at all reasonable times any premises where he has reasonable grounds for believing that any workers to whom an employment regulation order applies are employed,
(b) require the production of wages sheets or other records of remuneration kept by an employer and any such records as are required by this Part to be kept by employers, and inspect and examine those sheets or records and copy any material part thereof,
(c) examine with respect to any matters under this Part any person whom he has reasonable grounds for believing to be or have been a worker to whom, an employment regulation order applies or the employer of any such worker and require such person or employer to answer such questions (other than questions tending to incriminate such person) as such inspector may put touching such matters and to sign a declaration of the truth of the answers to such questions.
(2) If any person—
(a) obstructs or impedes an inspector in the exercise of any of the powers conferred on such inspector by this section, or
(b) refuses to produce any record which an inspector lawfully requires him to produce, or
(c) prevents, or attempts to prevent any person from appearing before or being questioned by an inspector, or
(d) wilfully fails or refuses to comply with any lawful requirement of an inspector under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section,
such person shall be guilty of an offence under this subsection and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds.
(3) If any person required by this Part to keep records keeps or causes to be kept, or produces or causes to be produced or knowingly allows to be produced to an inspector, any record which is false in any material respect knowing it to be false, he shall be guilty of an offence under this subsection and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(4) An inspector may institute proceedings for an offence under any section or subsection contained in this Part.
(5) (a) Any inspector may, if it appears to him that a sum is due from an employer to a worker (being a worker to whom an employment regulation order, which fixes remuneration, applies) on account of the payment to him of remuneration less than the statutory minimum remuneration, institute on behalf of and in the name of that worker civil proceedings for the recovery of that sum and in any such proceedings an order may be made for the payment of costs by the inspector as if he were a party to the proceedings.
(b) The power given by paragraph (a) of this subsection for the recovery of sums due by an employer to a worker shall not be in derogation of any right of the worker to recover such sums in civil proceedings.
Provisions in relation to trade boards.
Existing trade boards to become joint labour committees.
53.—Any trade board which exists immediately before the commencement of this Act shall, upon such commencement, by virtue of this section be deemed to be a joint labour committee established under this Part by an establishment order (notwithstanding that its constitution is not in all respects in accordance with the provisions of this Act) and operating in relation to the workers and employers in relation to whom it operated immediately before such commencement.
Existing orders under the Trade Boards Acts, 1909 and 1918.
54.—Any order in force immediately before the commencement of this Act confirming, varying or cancelling any rate under the Trade Boards Acts, 1909 and 1918, shall continue in force and be deemed to be an employment regulation order.
Pending notices of proposals varying minimum rates of wages under the Trade Boards Acts, 1909 and 1918.
55.—If any notice of proposals for varying minimum rates of wages under the Trade Boards Acts, 1909 and 1918, has been duly given by a trade board before the commencement of this Act, the like proceedings may be had on those proposals as might have been had thereon if the said Acts had not been repealed by this Act, and if an order is made confirming the proposals that order shall be deemed to be an employment regulation order.
Adaptation of references to trade boards.
56.—References in any document (other than an enactment repealed by this Act) to a trade board shall be construed as references to a joint labour committee.
Determination of certain questions.
Determination of certain questions.
57.—(1) The Court may at any time, on the application of any person, give its decision on the question whether a particular joint labour committee operates as respects a particular person or whether a particular employment regulation order applies to a particular person.
(2) A court of law, in determining any question arising in proceedings before it whether a particular joint labour committee operates as respects a particular person or whether a particular employment regulation order applies to a particular person, shall have regard to any decision of the Court referred to it in the course of the proceedings.
(3) If any question arises in proceedings before a court of law whether a particular joint labour committee operates as respects a particular person or whether a particular employment regulation order applies to a particular person, the court of law may, if it thinks proper, refer the question to the Court for its decision, and the decision of the Court thereon shall be final.
Standard wages for areas.
Standard wages for areas.
58.—(1) The Court, after publication, in such manner as it thinks fit, of notice of its intention, may, on its own motion or on the application of any interested party, fix, in respect of any area selected by the Court, the wage (in this section referred to as the standard wage) which, in the opinion of the Court, should be paid to a male adult worker performing in that area unskilled work for a normal working week.
(2) In fixing the standard wage for any area the Court shall have regard to the prevailing level of wages for other workers in that area.
(3) Where the Court fixes a standard wage for any area it shall publish particulars thereof in such manner as it thinks fit.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed as imposing an obligation on employers in an area to pay the standard wage fixed under this section for that area.
PART V.
Registered Joint Industrial Councils.
Definitions for purposes of Part V.
59.—In this Part—
the expression “qualified joint industrial council” means an association of persons which complies with the following conditions—
(a) that it is substantially representative of workers of a particular class, type or group and their employers,
(b) that its object is the promotion of harmonious relations between such employers and such workers,
(c) that its rules provide that, if a trade dispute arises between such workers and their employers a lock-out or strike will not be undertaken in support of the dispute until the dispute has been referred to the association and considered by it;
the expression “the register” means the Register of Joint Industrial Councils;
the word “registered” means registered in the register;
the expression “registered joint industrial council” means an association which is for the time being registered in the register.
Register of Joint Industrial Councils.
60.—The Court shall maintain a register to be known as the Register of Joint Industrial Councils.
Registration of joint industrial councils.
61.—(1) Where an association claiming to be a qualified joint industrial council applies to the Court to be registered in the register, the Court shall, if satisfied that the claim is well-founded, register the association in the register.
(2) An application by an association for registration in the register shall be accompanied by copies of its rules and such other information with respect to the association as the Court may require.
(3) Where the Court registers an association in the register, it shall cause to be entered therein the name of the association, its principal office and the name of its secretary.
Cancellation of registration.
62.—The Court shall cancel the registration in the register of any association if—
(a) the association applies to the Court to do so, or
(b) the Court is of opinion that the association has ceased to be a qualified joint industrial council, or has ceased to act.
Inspection of rules of registered joint industrial council.
63.—The rules of a registered joint industrial council shall be open for public inspection at the offices of the Court at such times as may be fixed by the Court.
Appointment of chairman and secretary of a joint industrial council.
64.—The Court may, at the request of a registered joint industrial council, appoint the chairman and a secretary of the council.
Registered joint industrial council to be a body in respect, of which section 3 of the Trade Union Act, 1942, is applicable.
65.—A registered joint industrial council shall be a board in relation to which section 3 of the Trade Union Act, 1942 (No. 23 of 1942), is applicable.
PART VI.
Trade Disputes.
“Worker” for the purposes of Part VI.
66.—In the subsequent sections of this Part the word “worker” means any person, being either a worker within the meaning of section 4 of this Act or an agricultural worker, within the meaning of the Agricultural Wages Act, 1936 (No. 53 of 1936).
Power of Court to investigate trade dispute.
67.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, where a trade dispute exists or is apprehended, the Court may investigate the dispute.
(2) The Court shall not investigate a trade dispute between persons who are represented on a registered joint industrial council unless—
(a) the council so requests, or
(b) the Court is of opinion that the dispute is likely to lead to a stoppage of work.
(3) The Court shall not investigate a dispute to which section 11 of the Electricity Supply Board (Superannuation) Act, 1942 (No. 17 of 1942), applies, except at the request of the tribunal established under section 9 of that Act.
(4) The Court shall not investigate a trade dispute in which a trade union is concerned, if the trade union establishes to the satisfaction of the Court that there is an agreement in force between the trade union and the other parties to the dispute which provides another method of determining the dispute, unless the Court is of opinion that the dispute is likely to lead to a stoppage of work.
(5) The Court shall not investigate a trade dispute between persons to whom a registered employment agreement, within the meaning of Part III of this Act, applies concerning matters to which the agreement relates unless—
(a) a party to the agreement so requests, or
(b) the Court is of opinion that the dispute is likely to lead to a stoppage of work.
Recommendation by Court on trade dispute.
68.—(1) The Court, having investigated a trade dispute, shall make a recommendation setting forth its opinion on the merits of the dispute and the terms on which, in the public interest and with a view to promoting industrial peace, it should be settled, due regard being had to the fairness of the said terms to parties concerned, and the prospects of the said terms being acceptable to them.
(2) The Court shall communicate a recommendation under this section to all the parties to the dispute and to such other persons as the Court thinks fit, and the Court may also publish the recommendation in such manner as it thinks fit.
Mediation in trade dispute by conciliation officer.
69.—(1) The chairman of the Court may, before the Court undertakes the investigation of a trade dispute, appoint a conciliation officer to act as mediator in the dispute for the purpose of effecting the permanent settlement thereof or such temporary settlement as will ensure that no stoppage of work shall occur pending the investigation of the dispute.
(2) The chairman of the Court may give a general authority to a conciliation officer to act as mediator in relation to trade disputes generally or trade disputes of a particular character.
Reference of trade dispute to arbitration.
70.—Where a trade dispute has occurred or is apprehended, the Court, with the consent of all the parties concerned in the dispute, may refer the dispute to the arbitration of one or more persons (who shall be paid such fees as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, determines) or may itself arbitrate upon the dispute.
Investigation by the Court of certain trade disputes resulting in stoppage of work and power to make awards in relation thereto.
71.—(1) Where the Court becomes aware that a trade dispute has occurred resulting in a stoppage of work in any trade or industry the Court may investigate the dispute, if satisfied that no trade union of workers is promoting or assisting the dispute.
(2) Where the Court decides to investigate a trade dispute in accordance with this section the following provisions shall have effect—
(a) the Court shall cause to be published in at least one newspaper circulating in the area in which the dispute has occurred notice of the time (which shall be not less than two clear days after the date of publication of such newspaper) and place at which the Court will sit to take evidence in relation to the dispute from persons concerned therein;
(b) the Court shall, at such sitting or any adjournment thereof, take evidence in relation to the dispute from all persons, appearing before it to give evidence, who, in the opinion of the Court, are concerned in the dispute;
(c) on hearing evidence the Court shall, as it thinks proper—
(i) decide not to take any action in regard to the dispute, or
(ii) publish a recommendation setting forth the opinion of the Court on the merits of the dispute and the manner in which it should be settled, or
(iii) make an award (which shall not be inconsistent in its terms with a registered employment agreement, within the meaning of Part III of this Act), setting forth the conditions on which, in the opinion of the Court, the dispute should be settled.
Effect of awards under section 71.
72.—Whenever the Court makes an award under section 71 of this Act in relation to any workers and their employers, the following provisions shall have effect—
(a) the award shall be in force for the period of three months commencing on the date of the award;
(b) an employer who, otherwise than with the consent of the Court, employs or agrees to employ, during the said period, a worker under conditions inconsistent with those of the award shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds.
PART VII.
Transitory Provisions in Relation to Wages (Standard Rate) Orders and Bonus Orders under Emergency Powers (No. 166) Order, 1942, and Emergency Powers (No. 260) Order, 1943.
Definitions for purposes of Part VII.
73.—In this Part—
the expression “bonus order” means an order made under Article 11 or Article 11A or Article 11AA of Order 166 or under Article 11 of the Emergency Powers (No. 166) Order, 1942 (Fifth Amendment) Order, 1942 (S. R. & O., No. 444 of 1942) or under Article 18 or Article 19 or Article 20 or paragraph (4) of Article 21 of Order 260, which is in force immediately before the commencement of this Act;
the expression “Order 166” means the Emergency Powers (No. 166) Order, 1942 (S. R. & O., No. 121 of 1942);
the expression “Order 260” means the Emergency Powers (No. 260) Order, 1943 (S. R. & O., No. 50 of 1943);
the word “recorded” means, in relation to a wages (standard rate) order or a bonus order, recorded under section 76 of this Act;
the expression “wages (standard rate) order” means an order made under Article 10 or Article 10A of Order 166 or under Article 16 or Article 17 or paragraph (3) of Article 21 of Order 260 which is in force immediately before the commencement of this Act.
Duration of Part VII.
74.—(1) This Part shall continue in force for one year from the commencement of this Act and shall then expire unless further continued by regulations of the Minister under subsection (2) of this section.
(2) The Minister, after consultation with organisations representative of trade unions of workers and trade unions representative of employers, may, if he thinks fit, by regulations, made before the expiration of one year from the commencement of this Act, continue this Part for such further period as he thinks fit and specifies in the order, and in that case this Part shall continue in force until the end of the period so specified and shall then expire.
Restriction on operation of Part VII.
75.—This Part does not apply to workers whose remuneration is fixed by a Minister of State under any enactment for the time being in force.
Recording of wages (standard rate) orders and bonus orders.
76.—(1) Where an application is made to the Court by a trade union or any body of persons, which appears to the Court to be representative of workers to whom a wages (standard rate) order and a bonus order apply, to record such orders under this section, the Court shall, subject to subsection (2) of this section, cause the said orders to be recorded.
(2) The Court shall not cause a wages (standard rate) order or a bonus order to be recorded under this section unless the application to record the order is made within the period of four months beginning on the commencement of this Act.
(3) An application under this section to record a wages (standard rate) order and a bonus order may be made by registered post and shall be accompanied by copies of the orders.
(4) The Court may appoint one of its officers to receive applications under this section and record wages (standard rate) orders and bonus orders.
Court wages order.
77.—(1) An application may be made to the Court by a trade union or other body for an order fixing rates of remuneration for a class of workers to whom, immediately before the commencement of this Act, no wages (standard rate) order applied.
(2) Where an application is made to the Court under this section in respect of a class of workers, the following provisions shall have effect—
(a) if the applicant appears to the Court to be representative of workers of that class, the Court shall publish notice of the application in such manner as, in the opinion of the Court, is best calculated to bring the application to the notice of all persons concerned;
(b) the Court shall consider the application and shall hear all persons appearing to the Court to be concerned and desiring to be heard;
(c) the Court may, as it thinks fit, refuse the application or make an order providing for such rates of remuneration for the said class of workers as the Court thinks fit;
(d) where the Court makes such order—
(i) if the applicant notifies the Court, within sixteen days after the making of the order, that the order is not acceptable, the Court shall thereupon revoke the order,
(ii) if the applicant does not so notify the Court the order shall, as on and from the expiration of the said sixteen days, have the like effect as if it were a recorded wages (standard rate) order and bonus order, and
(iii) references in the subsequent sections of this Part to wages (standard rate) orders and bonus orders shall be construed as including references to orders under this section, with the modifications that references to recording shall, in relation to an order under this section, have effect as references to the making of the order, and references to cancellation of a recording shall have effect as references to the revocation of the order.
Effect of recording of orders.
78.—(1) Where a wages (standard rate) order and a bonus order are recorded, the following provisions shall, during the period during which the said orders continue to be recorded, have effect, that is to say:—
(a) the employer of any worker to whom the said orders relate shall pay to such worker remuneration at a rate not less than the appropriate rate specified in the wages (standard rate) order, together with the bonus specified in the bonus order;
(b) if a contract between any worker to whom the said orders relate and his employer provides for payment of remuneration at a rate (in this paragraph referred to as the contract rate) less than the rate specified in the wages (standard rate) order, together with the bonus specified in the bonus order, the contract shall, in respect of the said period have effect as if it provided for payment of remuneration at the rate specified in the wages (standard rate) order together with the said bonus in lieu of the contract rate;
(c) if a trade union of workers complains to the Court that an employer has, in respect of any worker to whom the said orders relate, failed or neglected to comply with paragraph (a) of this subsection—
(i) the Court shall consider the complaint, and shall hear all persons appearing to the court to be interested and desiring to be heard,
(ii) if, after such consideration, the Court is satisfied that the complaint is well-founded, the Court may by order direct the said employer to pay any sum due to the worker for remuneration in accordance with the orders;
(d) if an employer to whom the said orders relate or a trade union representative of such employers complains to the Court that a trade union of workers is promoting or assisting out of its funds in the maintenance of a strike which to the knowledge of the general committee of management of the trade union of workers has for its object the enforcement of a demand on an employer to pay to a worker to whom the orders relate remuneration other than that provided by the orders, the following provisions shall have effect:—
(i) the Court shall consider the complaint and shall hear all persons appearing to the Court to be interested and desiring to be heard;
(ii) if, after such consideration, the Court is satisfied that the complaint is well-founded—
(I) the Court may, by order, direct the said trade union of workers to refrain from assisting out of its funds in the maintenance of the said strike;
(II) the Court may cancel the recording of the orders.
(2) Where—
(a) a strike continues after the Court has made an order under subsection (1) of this section in respect of the strike, and
(b) members of a trade union of workers, whose rates of remuneration are not the subject of the strike, are unable or decline to work while the strike continues,
then, the payment to those members of strike benefit in accordance with the rules of the trade union shall not be regarded, for the purposes of this section, as assisting in the maintenance of the strike.
(3) If, where an order is made by the Court under subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of this section or under clause (I) of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of this section, the direction contained in the order is not carried out, the person to whom the direction is given shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding ten pounds for every day during which the offence is continued.
Applications for variation of recorded wages (standard rate) orders and bonus orders.
79.—Where a wages (standard rate) order and bonus order have been recorded, the following provisions shall have effect—
(a) application may be made from time to time by trade unions and other bodies for an increase in the rates of remuneration specified in the orders;
(b) if any such applicant appears to the Court to be representative of workers to whom the orders relate, the Court shall publish notice of the application in such manner as, in the opinion of the Court, is best calculated to bring the application to the notice of all persons concerned;
(c) the Court shall consider the application and shall hear all persons appearing to the Court to be concerned and desiring to be heard;
(d) the Court may, as it thinks fit, refuse the application or make an order providing for such increased rates of remuneration as it thinks fit;
(e) if the Court makes such order, it shall specify in the order the trade unions of workers or bodies represensentative of workers (in this section referred to as interested parties) who shall be entitled to require the revocation of the order or the cancellation of the recording of the wages (standard rate) order and the bonus order in accordance with this section;
(f) if any interested party, within sixteen days after the making of the order, notifies the Court either—
(i) that it requires the order to be revoked, or
(ii) that it requires the order to be revoked and the recording to be cancelled,
the Court shall comply with the requirement;
(g) if an interested party does not so notify the Court, the wages (standard rate) order and the bonus order shall, as on and from the expiration of the said sixteen days, have, for the purposes of section 78 of this Act, effect as if they were amended in accordance with the terms of the order so made by the Court;
(h) if the Court refuses the application it shall specify the trade unions or bodies who shall be entitled to reject the refusal, and, if within sixteen days after the refusal, any such trade union or body notifies the Court that it rejects the refusal, the Court shall thereupon cancel the recording of the wages (standard rate) order and the bonus order.
Cancellation of recording of wages (standard rate) order and bonus order.
80.—(1) Where an employment agreement, within the meaning of Part III of this Act, relating to remuneration is registered under the said Part III, the Court shall thereupon cancel the recording of any wages (standard rate) order and bonus order which in the opinion of the Court relate to the same class of workers as that to which the said agreement applies.
(2) The Court, if satisfied, on the complaint of any person, that the recording of a wages (standard rate) order and bonus order was obtained on the application of a trade union or body which did not represent the majority of the workers to whom the said orders relate, may cancel the recording.
Publication of particulars.
81.—(1) When a wages (standard rate) order and a bonus order are recorded the Court shall publish in such manner as it thinks fit notice of the recording together with such particulars of the orders as the Court considers necessary.
(2) When a wages (standard rate) order and bonus order are varied by order under section 79 of this Act the Court shall publish in such manner as it thinks fit notice of the variation together with such particulars of the variation as the Court considers necessary.
(3) When the recording of a wages (standard rate) order and bonus order is cancelled the Court shall publish in such manner as it thinks fit notice of the cancellation.
Determination or certain questions.
82.—(1) The Court may at any time, on the application of any person, give its decision on any question as to the interpretation of a wages (standard rate) order and bonus order or their application to a particular person.
(2) A court of law, in determining any question arising in proceedings before it as to the interpretation of a wages (standard rate) order and bonus order or their application to a particular person shall have regard to any decision of the Court on the said orders referred to it in the course of the proceedings.
(3) If any question arises in proceedings before a court of law as to the interpretation of a wages (standard rate) order and bonus order or their application to a particular person, the court of law may, if it thinks proper, refer the question to the Court for its decision, and the decision of the Court thereon shall be final.
FIRST SCHEDULE.
Enactments Repealed.
Session and Chapter or Number and Year | Short title | Extent of Repeal |
59 & 60 Vic., c. 30. | The Conciliation Act, 1896. | The whole Act. |
9 Ed. VII, c. 22. | The Trade Boards Act, 1909. | The whole Act. |
3 & 4 Geo. V, c. clxii. | The Trade Boards Provisional Orders Confirmation Act, 1913. | The whole Act. |
8 & 9 Geo. V, c. 32. | The Trade Boards Act, 1918. | The whole Act. |
9 & 10 Geo. V, c. 69. | The Industrial Courts Act, 1919. | The whole Act. |
No. 2 of 1936. | ||
No. 4 of 1938. |
SECOND SCHEDULE.
Constitution, Officers and Proceedings of Joint Labour Committees.
1. In this Schedule, the word “committee” means a joint labour committee.
2. (1) A committee shall consist of—
(a) members (in this Schedule referred to as independent members) appointed by the Minister and chosen as being independent persons, being—
(i) a chairman, and
(ii) not more than two other persons, and
(b) members (in this Schedule referred to as representative members) appointed by the Court being—
(i) such number, as the Court thinks fit, of persons (in this Schedule referred to as representative (employers) members) who, in the opinion of the Court, represent employers in relation to whom the committee is to operate, and
(ii) an equal number of persons (in this Schedule referred to as representative (workers) members) who, in the opinion of the Court, represent workers in relation to whom the committee is to operate.
(2) Before appointing a representative member of a committee the Court shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, consult any organisation of employers or, as the case may be, workers concerned.
(3) Every independent member of a committee shall hold office during the pleasure of the Minister.
(4) Where a representative member of a committee ceases, in the opinion of the Court, to be representative of the employers or, as the case may be workers, whom he was appointed to represent, the Court shall determine his membership.
(5) The Court may, in its discretion, determine the membership of any representative member of a committee.
(6) Where the membership of any representative member of a committee is determined, such member shall cease to be a member of the committee
3. Such officers and servants as are required to assist a committee in the exercise of its functions shall be provided from the officers and servants of the Court.
4. The proceedings of a committee shall not be invalidated by reason of any vacancy therein or of any defect in the appointment of a member.
5. In order to constitute a meeting of a committee at least one independent member and at least one-third of the whole number of the representative members must be present.
6. (1) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, every member of a committee shall have one vote.
(2) If at any meeting of a committee the group of representative (employers) members present does not equal in number the group of representative (workers) members present—
(a) whichever of the said groups is in the majority may arrange that any one or more of its number shall refrain from voting so as to preserve equality,
(b) if no such arrangement is made, the chairman of the committee or, in his absence, the person who is acting as chairman of the meeting, may adjourn the voting on any question to another meeting of the committee.
(3) At a meeting of a committee, the chairman of the committee, or, in his absence, the person who is acting as chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote on any question on which the voting is otherwise equal.
7. (1) A committee shall meet at such places and times as it may from time to time determine to be suitable for the discharge of its functions under this Act, and may adjourn any of its meetings.
(2) A committee shall, save as otherwise provided by this Act, adopt such procedure at its meetings and otherwise, as it may determine to be suitable for the discharge of its functions under this Act.
8. (1) A committee, with the consent of the Court, may appoint sub-committees to assist it.
(2) A sub-committee of a committee may consist of members of the committee and such other persons as the committee with the concurrence of the Court may appoint.
(3) A district trade committee established under the Trade Boards Acts, 1909 and 1918, established by a committee when it was a trade board shall be deemed to be a sub-committee appointed by the committee under subparagraph (1) of this paragraph.
9. Any member of the Court may be present at a meeting of a committee and shall have the right to take part in the proceedings but shall not have the right to vote.
10. Members of a committee or of a sub-committee, may be paid such remuneration and allowances (including compensation for loss of time) as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may determine.