Minimum wage increases by 30p an hour
Ireland's national minimum wage increases from £4.40 an hour to £4.70 an hour today.
The rise is the first of two increases agreed by the social partners as part of the National Pay Agreement, which was accepted under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
The minimum hourly rate, which applies to all workers, will increase to £5 an hour on October 1st, 2002.
The National Minimum Wage Act became law on April 1st last year.
It aims to ensure that all Irish workers are adequately paid for their services.
The increases in the rate were agreed to compensate for inflation and to force employers to share increasing profits with their employees.
The Tanaiste, Mary Harney, has warned that labour inspectors will be visiting employers over the coming weeks to ensure they are complying with today's increase in the rate.
