Irish wages ‘nearly 10% behind EU-15 average’

IRISH workers’ wages are almost 10% behind the EU-15 average, according to a trade union-sponsored report released yesterday.

It found Irish staff receive less holiday time and work longer hours than their European counterparts.

Amalgamated Transport and General Workers’ Union regional secretary Michael O’Reilly said: “Rather than being paid too much, Irish workers are paid too little and have a long way to go before reaching even European averages.

“Employers’ organisations claim wages are too high and are undermining our competitiveness.

“These claims are based on misrepresentations and selective use of statistics. The fact is Irish wages are low by European standards.”

The report compared Irish wages with European wage levels.

Its key findings were:

* Irish industrial wages are nearly 10% behind that of the EU-15 average.

* Payroll taxes and employers’ PRSI are half of the European average.

* Irish workers receive less secondary benefits (e.g. holiday time, annual bonuses) and work longer hours than their European counterparts.

* Nearly 20% of workers are officially low-paid - the second highest proportion in the EU.

* Self-employed income has increased by nearly 10 times the rate of PAYE workers.

Mr O’Reilly said: “There certainly are problems in the economy and in our competitiveness. But they are not due to wages or labour costs.

“That is why ATGWU along with private sector trade unions are seeking ‘an ability to pay clause’ in the current negotiations over a new national agreement.

“Where companies are making significant profits, there is no reason why the people who produced those profits can’t share in the benefit.

“A dynamic and prosperous economy will not be built on the basis of undermining wage levels and living standards. Rather, a prosperous and well-paid workforce is the key to resolving many of our social and economic issues.”