The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has confirmed it's two nominees on the Low Pay Commission opposed the inadequate 80c increase to the National Minimum Wage. Given the current cost of living crisis and consequent income pressures on workers, ICTU and its affiliate unions have been calling for a very significant rise in the minimum wage.
The recommended 80c increase fails the test of protecting the living standards of those on the lowest wage and fails the test of setting a sustainable foundation for progressing to a living wage. It is for these reasons our nominees opposed the Commission’s recommendation and submitted a minority report to provide the Government an alternative and superior recommendation for the increase in the minimum wage in 2023.
It is within the gift of the Government to go beyond what the Commission has recommended and we urge them to do so. Congress General Secretary Patricia King said she is aware that businesses face challenges 'but so do workers trying to live on a minimum wage and there are many employers that can afford to pay'.
