Ireland has been found to be in breach of a European charter covering labour rights in respect of issues including working hours, the minimum wage and compensation for occupational health risks.

The European Committee of Social Rights is publishing its latest annual conclusions on how Council of Europe member countries comply with articles of the European Social Charter covering labour rights.

Ireland was found to be in breach of the charter in relation to labour rights in ten out of 22 situations examined.

The committee concludes that Ireland conformed in 11 situations, and did not conform in ten.

Breaches include the fact that the committee found the reduced national minimum wage applicable to adult workers on their first employment or following a course of studies was not sufficient to ensure a decent standard of living.

The committee found working hours in the merchant shipping sector were allowed to go up to 72 hours per week.

It also found there were inadequate safeguards to prevent that workers may work for more than 12 consecutive days without a rest period.

The committee report said it had not been established that workers exposed to occupational health risks were entitled to appropriate compensation measures.

In respect of one other situation, the committee found Ireland had breached its reporting obligation under the charter by failing to provide information requested by a given deadline of 31 October 2014.

The committee has requested that the Government provide this information in its next report.