50,000 low-paid workers are set for pay rises under new regulations for contract cleaners and security workers.

The move will replace the old Joint Labour Committee system, which was struck down by the Supreme Court four years ago.

The new scheme will see the wages of 30,000 contract cleaners boosted from €9.50 an hour to €9.75.

While 20,000 workers in the security sector will see their pay rise from €10.01 per hour to €10.75.

Employment Minister Ged Nash says the new order will also introduce new contract conditions.

Meanwhile Jobs Minister Richard Bruton says the new Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) will resolve industrial disputes faster than ever before.

From today, the new WRC and Labour Court will take on the work of the five existing bodies - a move which will see the cost to the State brought down by 10%.

The WRC will incorporate the functions of the machinery of industrial relations including the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), the National Employment Rights Authority and the Equality Tribunal.

Mr Bruton says the old system was 'haphazard' and led to backlogs.

He says the new mechanism will give employees more confidentiality and a quicker resolution.