Labour slams IBEC comments on inflation
The Labour Party has criticised the employer’s body IBEC for calling on Irish workers to settle for pay increases below the level of inflation.
IBEC made its call yesterday amid speculation that the ESB is seeking a 15% increase in charges.
Labour’s Tommy Broughan said the IBEC call was hypocritical, considering that businesses are largely responsible for price rises.
“Many companies, particularly in the services area, including some IBEC members, have contributed themselves to the inflationary spiral by taking advantage of the changeover to the euro to increase prices,” he said.
“There has been, to a considerable extent, a euro rip-off both last year and this year and it seems risible now that IBEC are calling on workers to moderate their calls for wage increases.”
