Menu
03/07/2019
Housing Crisis Results In Increase Of Living Wage Rate
Ireland's Living Wage rate is to increase by 40c to €12.30p/h, the Living Wage Technical Group (LWTG) has announced.
The LWTG said that the current housing crisis, and associated increases in rent levels, continues to be the main driver of the wage rate increasing. The increase has been driven by changes in the cost of living and changes in the taxation system.
Welcoming the new rate, Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan said:
"Sinn Féin fully support the concept of the Living Wage, and we recently launched our own party's proposals on how we intend to introduce the Living Wage when we are in government.
"The current Minimum Wage is simply too low, and it does not take into account the reality of the high cost of living in Ireland.
"We welcome the Living Wage Technical Group's assessment that the Living Wage should now stand at €12.30 p/h, as this increase on the previous rate reflects the high cost of living people on low wages are now facing.
"This government have left low paid workers behind and will not even achieve their own self-imposed target of €10.50 p/h, as set out in their Programme for a Partnership Government.
"We believe workers deserve to be paid fairly for their hard work, and we think it’s shameful that many workers and their families are living in poverty due to low pay.
"However, we fully understand that not every business will be able to pay the Living Wage of €12.30 p/h, and we have taken account for that in our plans.
"In our proposals launched last week, we included a provision that the New Living Wage Act would include an exemption for those financially vulnerable businesses who can show they genuinely cannot afford this transition to the Living Wage.
"This exemption will safeguard businesses and jobs in those SMEs who find themselves in a difficult financial position.
"Sinn Féin is the only Irish political party with a credible proposal on how to introduce the Living Wage, and we want Ireland to become the first state in the world to introduce a Living Wage on a legislative basis.
"Proper wages and the eradication of precarious working practices must be the essential foundations of economic growth and productivity."
(MH/JG)
The LWTG said that the current housing crisis, and associated increases in rent levels, continues to be the main driver of the wage rate increasing. The increase has been driven by changes in the cost of living and changes in the taxation system.
Welcoming the new rate, Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan said:
"Sinn Féin fully support the concept of the Living Wage, and we recently launched our own party's proposals on how we intend to introduce the Living Wage when we are in government.
"The current Minimum Wage is simply too low, and it does not take into account the reality of the high cost of living in Ireland.
"We welcome the Living Wage Technical Group's assessment that the Living Wage should now stand at €12.30 p/h, as this increase on the previous rate reflects the high cost of living people on low wages are now facing.
"This government have left low paid workers behind and will not even achieve their own self-imposed target of €10.50 p/h, as set out in their Programme for a Partnership Government.
"We believe workers deserve to be paid fairly for their hard work, and we think it’s shameful that many workers and their families are living in poverty due to low pay.
"However, we fully understand that not every business will be able to pay the Living Wage of €12.30 p/h, and we have taken account for that in our plans.
"In our proposals launched last week, we included a provision that the New Living Wage Act would include an exemption for those financially vulnerable businesses who can show they genuinely cannot afford this transition to the Living Wage.
"This exemption will safeguard businesses and jobs in those SMEs who find themselves in a difficult financial position.
"Sinn Féin is the only Irish political party with a credible proposal on how to introduce the Living Wage, and we want Ireland to become the first state in the world to introduce a Living Wage on a legislative basis.
"Proper wages and the eradication of precarious working practices must be the essential foundations of economic growth and productivity."
(MH/JG)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 August 2015
SIPTU Announce Support For Forum On The Living Wage
SIPTU has announced its support for the Forum on the Living Wage, announced by Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash. Minister Nash announced the forum earlier this week, inviting businesses across Ireland to discuss how the Living Wage could be introduced to Ireland.
SIPTU Announce Support For Forum On The Living Wage
SIPTU has announced its support for the Forum on the Living Wage, announced by Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash. Minister Nash announced the forum earlier this week, inviting businesses across Ireland to discuss how the Living Wage could be introduced to Ireland.
10 December 2015
SSE Becomes Living Wage Employer
SSE has announced it is to become a Living Wage employer. From 1 January, 2016, all of the firm's employees will be guaranteed a Living Wage of at least €11.50 an hour. Almost 750 staff across SSE's businesses in Ireland – including SSE Airtricity – will receive at least the Living Wage rate.
SSE Becomes Living Wage Employer
SSE has announced it is to become a Living Wage employer. From 1 January, 2016, all of the firm's employees will be guaranteed a Living Wage of at least €11.50 an hour. Almost 750 staff across SSE's businesses in Ireland – including SSE Airtricity – will receive at least the Living Wage rate.
20 December 2019
Workers Deserve Living Wage - SF
A small increase in the minimum due to be introduced in February has been been described as "not enough" by Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Jobs, Workers' Rights and Pay Equality, Maurice Quinlivan.
Workers Deserve Living Wage - SF
A small increase in the minimum due to be introduced in February has been been described as "not enough" by Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Jobs, Workers' Rights and Pay Equality, Maurice Quinlivan.
12 August 2015
Living Wage Forum To Explore Introduction To Ireland
Irish companies have been invited to attend a Living Wage Forum being held in September, to explore the introduction of a Living Wage Campaign to Ireland. Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash, is calling on companies to register their interest in attending the forum on 30 September in Dublin Castle.
Living Wage Forum To Explore Introduction To Ireland
Irish companies have been invited to attend a Living Wage Forum being held in September, to explore the introduction of a Living Wage Campaign to Ireland. Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash, is calling on companies to register their interest in attending the forum on 30 September in Dublin Castle.
10 May 2016
IMPACT Demand Living Wage For Lowest Paid Civil Service Workers
Trade union IMPACT has demanded a living wage across the public service and fair pensions for civil service cleaners and service officers. The union said it has heard from members who earn €373 a week – €10.08 an hour – which is below the living wage, defined as the minimum income needed to meet the basic requirements of life.
IMPACT Demand Living Wage For Lowest Paid Civil Service Workers
Trade union IMPACT has demanded a living wage across the public service and fair pensions for civil service cleaners and service officers. The union said it has heard from members who earn €373 a week – €10.08 an hour – which is below the living wage, defined as the minimum income needed to meet the basic requirements of life.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
