Union hits out at 'poverty pay' for workers
One in five Irish workers are not earning a "living wage", it was claimed today.
Trade Union UNITE said that 300,000 workers earn less than €11.45 per hour.
The living wage rate has been defined by a trade union think tank as the minimum needed for basic standard of living.
“The Living Wage of €11.45 per hour, launched last Thursday, is an evidence-based figure derived from research into the expenditure required to have a minimum essential standard of living," said Unite Regional Secretary Jimmy Kelly.
"Using CSO data, Unite has estimated that around 300,000 workers – or nearly one in five – earn below this hourly wage. And this figure does not include those workers who may earn more than €11.45 per hour, but are unable to work sufficient hours to earn the weekly Living Wage of €446.
"Nor does it take account of the expenditure needs of households of children, who would require a higher wage.
“The figures released by Unite today tally with the CSO finding that over 300,000 of those in work suffer multiple deprivation experiences.
“Ireland is in the throes of a low pay epidemic.
“Poverty pay undermines the living standards of the workers and families concerned – and it undermines the economy, dampening consumer demand and delaying the prospect of a sustainable wage-led recovery.
“That is why it is vital that the Living Wage become accepted as a new wage floor.”
