From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
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The Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Damien English TD, has signed a Statutory Instrument giving legal effect to a recommendation from the Labour Court for new minimum pay rates to workers in the electrical contracting sector. This recommendation was approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas on 7 December.
Minister English said:
“I have signed this Sectoral Employment Order into law following its approval by both Houses of the Oireachtas. This Order sets new minimum rates of pay, pension and sick pay entitlements for workers in the Electrical Contracting Sector following a review by the Labour Court. It is an important move to ensure the sector remains competitive, productive, and sustainable and will help assist with the delivery of the National Development Plan, the Housing for All strategy, and the measures contained in the Climate Action Plan.”
The Labour Court recommendation follows on from an application by Connect Trade Union to examine the terms and conditions relating to the remuneration and any sick pay scheme or pension scheme of the workers of a specified class type or group in the Electrical Contracting Sector.
The application was made in accordance with Section 14 of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2015. Following completion of its review of the application, and in line with Section 15 of the Act, the Labour Court submitted its recommendations under Section 16 of the Act to the Minister within the statutory deadlines, recommending the following minimum rates of pay:
The following basic hourly rates of pay will apply in the sector from 1 February 2022 to 31 January 2023.
Basic Hourly Rates of Pay from 1 February 2022 to 31 January 2023
| Category 1, First year out of time | €24.14 per hour |
| Category 2, Third year out of time | €24.63 per hour |
| Category 3, Sixth year out of time | €25.02 per hour |
| Apprentice | Year 1 – 35% of Category 1 Rate |
| Apprentice | Year 2 – 45% of Category 1 Rate |
| Apprentice | Year 3 - 65% of Category 1 Rate |
| Apprentice | Year 4 - 80% of Category 1 Rate |
The following basic hourly rates of pay will apply in the sector from 1 February 2023.
Basic Hourly Rates of Pay from 1 February 2023
| Category 1, First year out of time | €24.81 per hour |
| Category 2, Third year out of time | €25.31 per hour |
| Category 3, Sixth year out of time | €25.72 per hour |
| Apprentice | Year 1 – 35% of Category 1 Rate |
| Apprentice | Year 2 – 45% of Category 1 Rate |
| Apprentice | Year 3 - 65% of Category 1 Rate |
Pension Contribution
Pension Contribution from 1 February 2022
The minimum pension and death in service scheme contribution rates for employers and workers shall be set at the following levels.
| Employer daily rate - | €5.73 (weekly - €28.65) | |
| Worker daily rate - | €3.82 (weekly - €19.10) | |
| Total contribution daily into the scheme per worker - | €9.55 (weekly €47.75) |
Pension Contribution from 1 February 2023
| Employer daily rate - | €5.84 (weekly - €29.22) |
| Worker daily rate - | €3.90 (weekly - €19.50) |
| Total contribution daily into the scheme per worker - | €9.74 (weekly €48.70) |
Sick Pay Scheme
The following contribution rates in respect of a sick pay scheme will apply:
| Employer | €1.27 per week |
| Worker | €0.63 per week |
| Total | €1.90 per week |