Irish wages are the highest

IRISH workers now earn an average of 32% more than their European colleagues, according to the Small Firms Association.

The IBEC-backed lobby group said its annual pay survey found Irish wage costs rose by an average of 5% last year, more than double the eurozone average.

The average increase fell from 9% in 2001 and 6% in 2002, but SFA director Pat Delaney said the survey showed the need to slow down the level of wage increases even further.