Chambers call for minimum wage to be phased in

The Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI) have said that the financial pressure on small firms to pay the new minimum wage is too severe, and that it should be deferred until February 2004.

Mark Staunton, president of the CCI, has said that with sharp rises in insurance and wages, this increase from €6.35 to €7 per hour comes too soon and should be phased in.