and Trade Practices - Ireland
Released by the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs
U.S. Department of State, March 2000
e. Acceptable Conditions of Work: After persistent lobbying by trade unions, in April 1998, the Irish government announced proposals for the introduction of a national hourly minimum wage of IP 4.40 (around US$ 6.70) beginning in April 2000. Although minimum wages already exist in certain low-paid industries, such as textiles and cleaning, these only apply to a relatively small proportion of the workforce. The full minimum wage will not apply to trainees or workers under 18 years of age.
The standard workweek is 39 hours. In May 1997, a European commission directive on working time was transposed into Irish law, through the "organization of working time act, 1997." The act sets a maximum of 48 working hours per week, requires that workers be given breaks after they work certain periods of time, sets limits to shift work, and mandates four weeks annual holidays for all employees by 1999.