Workers continue to be forgotten by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael
Speaking in advance of the SIPTU annual conference, Labour finance spokesperson Ged Nash said young workers have been utterly failed by this Government.
Deputy Nash said:
“The cost of living continues to bite and, coupled with the extortionate cost of housing in this country, Irish workers simply cannot get a break.
“Labour has been to the forefront of calling for pay rises for workers, and I look forward to the debate and discussion with SIPTU colleagues at conference over the coming days.
“Real wage reductions remain a very serious issue for workers, particularly in the context of exorbitant profits by business and the cost of living crisis is a key focus of the union conference this week.
“Labour is urging all employers to look at themselves and ask; am I paying a fair and decent wage to my employees?
“Low pay in particular must be addressed. Ireland’s low pay problem is chronic with one in five working people officially low paid.
“With corporate profits reaching almost €30 billion in Ireland, last year and up 30% on an annual basis, there are companies in this country boosting their own cash reserves and paying out enormous dividends at the expense of ensuring that workers can survive a cost-of-living crisis, some of which has been driven by companies’ own profiteering.
“While nominal wages have risen across most sectors of the economy, the reality is that the vast majority of workers are experiencing real wage reductions. For the first time since 2013, living standards in Ireland have slipped. It’s disgraceful.
“The transposition of the European Minimum Wages Directive must be done in a way that not only significantly boost collective and sectoral bargaining coverage but does so in a that also provided a better and more progressive legal environment for trade union membership and organising.
“Collective bargaining is the answer to a fairer economy and to beating populism and populists.
“Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are totally out of touch with working people’s concerns. Hard working people need a pay rise.”