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The union movement withdrew from the Low Pay Commission, saying it was not prepared to subscribe to a proposed 10 percent hourly increase in the national minimum wage.
The commission was established by the government in 2015 to advise and make recommendations to ministers on the national minimum wage. It has an independent president appointed by the government and involves unions, employers and campaign groups.
The withdrawal on Tuesday night by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) raises questions about its future.
Last year, the Low Pay Commission recommended an increase of 30 cents to the minimum wage for adults, raising the rate to 10.10 euros per hour. Earlier this summer, she postponed the recommendation to the government on a new rate for the national minimum wage until September.
It is understood that there was strong disagreement among the members on the issue at the time.
On Tuesday evening, Ictu General Secretary Patricia King said: “We could not in conscience be part of any recommendation that would not allow the lowest paid workers in the Republic of Ireland an increase of more than two percent similar to other sectors. in our economy. “
Around 340,000 civil service employees are expected to receive a two percent pay increase in October. Workers in the construction sector are also expected to receive a 2.7 percent pay increase in October.
Ms. King said it had been clear to her and the other union representative on the commission, Gerry Light of the Mandate union, “that other members of the commission were not prepared to propose a 2021 increase beyond one percent, it is say. 10 cents.
“If we have learned something as a society in this pandemic, it is that we must value the work and those who carry it out. We must make work profitable.
“Many of the minimum wage workers are part of the cadre of essential workers who have helped our economy through this Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is completely unacceptable that they and other workers who have the lowest wages in this state do not have decency and justice in receiving a modest minimum increase of two percent in the national minimum wage.
“The lowest paid in our society suffered disproportionately during the last recession and we will not be part of a process that leaves them behind.
“So it is with regret but clearly that we can no longer be part of this Low Pay Commission. You can’t go back to the old ways where the lowest paid are left behind. We will continue to campaign through other forums for a fair raise, ”said Ms. King.
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