Small firms may be hit by minimum wage increases, warn business groups

Recommendation to increase the national minimum wage to €12.70 per hour from next January will place 'additional pressure on employment costs' 

Minimum wage rise will impact small businesses in the retail, food manufacturing sectors, the Small Firms Association said.

A business group has urged Government to support small firms if the proposed minimum wage increase is implemented.

The recommendation by the Low Pay Commission to increase the national minimum wage to €12.70 per hour from next January will place “additional pressure on employment costs” especially for small businesses in the retail, food manufacturing sectors, said the Small Firms Association.