Reason 9: Because low pay in Ireland is really low pay
We are constantly being lectured that we are living beyond our means – that we are over-paying ourselves, that we have to cut wages to become ‘competitive’. The low-paid, in particular, have been under attack – from employers, from the Government changes to the Joint Labour Committees. But are the low-paid overpaid? Not by a long shot.
Irish labour costs in the Hotel & Restaurant Sector are 7% below the average of other EU-15 countries. When compared with the average of Core-EU 15 countries (excluding peripheral countries), labour costs here fall 16% below average. And when compared with economies similar to our own – small open economies heavily reliant on exports – we fall 26% below average.
The situation is worse in the Retail & Wholesale sector.
And in the last two years, the gap between Irish and other EU labour costs has widened further.
Low pay in Ireland is really low-pay when compared with other EU countries.
Why should we march? Because increasing wages, working hours and living standards – in particular, for the low-paid – is part of the solution to economic growth.
Download PDF here: Reason 9 Low Pay
- Posted in: Uncategorized
2 Comments
Trackbacks