Joint Labour Committees
Joint Labour Committees (JLCs) are bodies established under the Industrial Relations Acts to provide a process for fixing statutory minimum rates of pay and conditions of employment for particular employees in particular sectors. They may be set up by the Labour Court on the application of (i) the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, or (ii) a trade union, or (iii) any organisation claiming to be representative of the workers or the employers involved. A JLC is made up of equal numbers of employer and worker representatives appointed by the Labour Court and a chairman and substitute chairman appointed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. JLCs operate in areas where collective bargaining is not well established and wages tend to be low.
Employment Regulation Orders
An Employment Regulation Order (ERO) is an instrument drawn up by a Joint Labour Committee (JLC), adopted by the Labour Court, and given statutory effect by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The ERO fixes minimum rates of pay and conditions of employment for workers in specified business sectors: employers in those sectors are then obliged to pay wage rates and provide conditions of employment not less favourable than those prescribed.
Where an ERO applies, a prescribed notice must be posted up in the place of employment setting out particulars of the statutory rates of pay and conditions of employment for the sector.
An employer of workers to whom an Employment Regulation Order applies must keep records of wages, payments, etc., and must retain these records for three years.
Any breaches of an Employment Regulation Order may be referred to the Workplace Relations Commission for appropriate action.
Click here for information on the ERO regarding the Contract Cleaning industry.
Click here for information on the ERO regarding the Security Industry.
Click here for information on the ERO regarding Early Learning and Childcare Sector.