Ireland (IE)

Employment
Wages
Working Time
Leave
Social Insurance
Health and Safety
Trade Union Influence
Minimum Standards
Trade Union Participation

Employment

Agriculture and forestry in Ireland employ 4,250 full-time workers as well as 15,000 seasonal workers.

table International Comparison of Employment

Wages and Labour Costs

The hourly wage is € 8.50. Employees pay 12 %, and employers pay 0 % of the wage as welfare insurance contributions.

There are two tax rates depending on the personal situation. Married persons pay 20 %, unmarried persons pay 42 %.

table International Comparison of Wages and Labour Costs

Working Time

Ireland has a 39-hour week. The maximum allowable average weekly working time is 48 hours. Depending on the circumstances this average may be determined over a period of 4, 6, or 12 months.

table International Comparison of Working Time

Workers are entitled to 20 holidays per year plus 9 public holidays. A worker working on a public holiday gets an additional day off or an additional daily wage. If a public holiday is on a day when the worker does not work the worker is entitled to one fifth of the normal weekly wage.

table International Comparison of Leave and Paid Holidays

Social Insurance

There is a state system of social security.

Occupational Health and Safety

There is an obligatory accident insurance system. The trade union SIPTU supports the health and safety committees, endeavouring to make workplaces safer and healthier. For accident figures cf. Table.

table International Comparison of Occupational Health and Safety

Trade Union Influence

The trade unions negotiate collective agreements with the companies.

table International Comparison of Trade Union Influence

Minimum Standards

There is a statutory minimum wage (cf. Table).

table International Comparison of Minimum Standards

Trade Union Participation

In Ireland the shop stewards play a vital role in the relationship between employees and companies. The shop stewards are the elected trade union representative at the workplace. They get the qualification for their tasks in trade union education facilities.

table International Comparison of Trade Union Participation

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