Ireland sees smallest rise in hourly labour costs in EU last year

Hourly labour costs in Ireland rose slightly in 2012, according to new figures out today from Eurostat.

Austria recorded the highest hourly increase rising by 15.5%, while rates fell by 11.2% in Greece.

The highest average hourly rate of pay at €39 is in Sweden while the lowest is €3.70 in Bulgaria.

Alicia O'Rourke of the EU Commission said a rise of 0.8% in the average hourly rate of pay in Ireland was the smallest increase across the European Union last year.