Irish workers took a 3.9% pay cut last year as wages fail to keep up with inflation 

The difference between wage growth and surging prices meant Irish people effectively worked for nothing for 8.3 days

Oxfam Ireland CEO Jim Clarken warned of 'a clear and alarming trend towards widening pay scales and resulting inequality across the globe'. File picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins 

Irish workers took a 3.9% pay cut last year as wages lagged behind inflation by an average of €2,107.

New analysis carried out by Oxfam has found that the difference between wage growth and surging prices meant Irish people effectively worked 8.3 days for free. The total loss for workers was over €5bn.