Unions criticise Ibec over 'shameful' demands

Ibec requests Government pause all further labour market policy measures which could add costs to employers

Owen Reidy, general secretary of Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

Worker unions have criticised the business group Ibec for its “shameful” and “unacceptable” demand that the Government pause all further labour market policy measures which could add costs to employers.

The war of words broke out after Ibec blamed a raft of Government policy changes for increasing the cost of doing business, particularly for smaller and medium-sized companies, while unions have said these changes have been needed for a long time.