With effect from 6 March 2018, the SEO has effect in the Mechanical Engineering Construction Sector. The SEO applies to the Building Services Contracting Sector as defined in the order.
Who is covered by the SEO?
The SEO makes it compulsory for relevant Contracting Firms to
- pay workers the rates of pay provided in the order and to
- provide a pension and sick pay scheme
How workers are classified
This Sectoral Employment Order applies to the following categories of worker who are directly employed or employed through an employment agency within the meaning of the Employment Agency Act 1971 and or the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act 2012 in the Mechanical Engineering Building Services Contracting Sector: -
Qualified Plumbers and Registered Apprentice Plumbers (Craftsperson) and Qualified Pipefitters and Registered Apprentice Pipefitters (Craftsperson) working in the Sector.
For the avoidance of doubt qualified plumbers and pipefitters who have acquired additional or advanced welding qualifications and who are required to function as welders on a day to day basis within the sector come within the scope of this Order.
Pay
Category/Classification | Rate of pay | Class of worker |
Category 1 | €22.73 | A basic minimum hourly rate of pay to apply to all newly qualified Plumbers and Pipefitters employed in the sector. |
Category 2 | €23.33 | A higher hourly rate of pay to apply to qualified Plumbers and Pipefitters employed in the sector with effect from the commencement of their 3rd year of employment after qualification as a Plumber and or Pipefitter. |
Category 3 | €23.60 | A higher hourly rate of pay to apply to qualified Plumbers and Pipefitters employed in the sector with effect from the commencement of their 6th year of employment after qualification as Plumber and or Pipefitter. |
Apprentice Pay Rates
Apprentice Year 1 | 33.3% of Category 1 hourly rate of pay |
Apprentice Year 2 | 50% of Category 1 hourly rate of pay |
Apprentice Year 3 | 75% of Category 1 hourly rate of pay |
Apprentice Year 4 | 90% of Category 1 hourly rate of pay |
Overtime Rates
Hours worked outside of those hours shall constitute unsocial working hours and shall attract the following premium payments: -
Hours worked between normal finishing time and Midnight Monday to Friday inclusive | Time plus a half |
Hours worked between Midnight and normal starting time Monday to Friday | Double time |
First four hours worked after 7 am an Saturday | Time plus a half |
All other hours worked on Saturday | Double time |
All hours worked on Sunday | Double time |
All hours worked on Public Holidays | Double time plus an additional day’s leave |
Normal Working Week
Normal Working week shall consist of 39 hours worked between Monday and Friday each week.
Daily Working Hours
Day | Monday-Thursday | Friday |
Normal Start Time | 7 am | 7 am |
Normal finish Time | 5 pm | 4 pm |
Daily working hours worked between normal start and finish times | 8 consecutive hours | 7 consecutive hours |
Pensions
A worker to whom this Sectoral Employment Order relates shall be entered by his or her employer into a pension scheme the terms of which, including both employer and employee contribution rates, shall be no less favorable than those set out in the Construction Workers Pension Scheme.
Pension Contributions
| Per Week | Daily Rate |
Employer | €26.63 | €5.32 |
Employee | €17.76 | €3.52 |
Total | €44.39 | €8.84 |
Death in Service Contribution
| Per Week | Daily Rate |
Employer | €1.11 | €1.11 |
Employee | €1.11 | €1.11 |
Total | €2.22 | €2.22 |
Sick Pay
A worker to whom this Sectoral Employment Order relates shall be entered by his or her employer in a sick pay scheme the terms of which, including both employer and employee contribution rates into the scheme shall be no less favorable than those set out in the Construction Workers Sick Pay Scheme.
The minimum Sick Pay Contribution Rates for employers and workers be set at the following levels: -
Employer Contribution | Worker Contribution | Total Combined Contribution |
€1.27 per day to a maximum of €1.27 per week | €0.63 per day to a maximum of €0.63 per week | €1.90 per day to a maximum of €1.90 per week |
Dispute Resolution
Where a dispute arises, it should be notified to the employer in writing. If the issue is not resolved individuals can take a case for adjudication to the Workplace Relations Commission and group or collective disputes can be taken to the Conciliation Service of the WRC.
This page gives a summary of the details contained in S.I. No. 59 of 2018 SECTORAL EMPLOYMENT ORDER (MECHANICAL ENGINEERING BUILDING SERVICES CONTRACTING SECTOR) 2018 and is not a legal interpretation.