ISME: Raising minimum wage will stop firms taking on new staff
The Irish Small And Medium Enterprises Association is warning the Government not to raise the minimum wage, saying it would be detrimental for jobs.
Mark Fielding from ISME is reacting to calls from the Social Protection Minister Joan Burton to increase the minimum wage.
Ms Burton said the move would reduce the reliance of lower paid workers on social welfare payments to supplement their income.
He said employers cannot afford any rise in wages, and it would stop them taking on new staff.
He said: "This type of kite flying will stop businesses looking at taking on new people over the next number of months.
"This time last year she flew a kite about sick pay and it actually pulled back people who were planning on taking on new people, because they have this hidden cost coming down the road."
