Labour says Ireland needs a pay rise
- Mini-Budget for 2022 would be real sign Government is serious on cost-of-living crisis
Labour Party Spokesperson on Finance, Ged Nash has today (Tuesday, 8th February) demanded that the government takes a lead on wages and instructs the Low Pay Commission to fast-track a living wage for all workers.
In remarks to the Taoiseach, Deputy Nash said that if the Government is serious about addressing the cost-of-living crisis, then they must stop tinkering around the edges, show some leadership and introduce a mini-budget for 2022.
Deputy Nash said:
“Ireland has a problem with low pay. The increase to the minimum wage in January has been swallowed up by inflation and workers are put to the pin to their collars. When inflation increases, it hits those on the low and fixed incomes the hardest because they spend every spare euro they have on food, energy bills and rent. For workers the only real action worth taking is an inflation busting increase in take home pay. We have seen profits protected but not wages. Good GPD figures and a record tax take means little if workers can’t put food on the table. Ireland needs a pay rise.
“The Labour Party is of the firm belief that without a mini-Budget for 2022 then whatever measures the Government plans on introducing to address the crisis will only put a plaster over the problem and we will be back to square one before long.
“Tokenistic measures and please to shop around just won’t cut it. Working people deserve better.”