Workers ‘can afford’ to endure pay pause

IRISH workers are earning 17% more than the average worker in the rest of the EU and can afford to endure a pay pause in the current difficult economic climate, according to the employers’ body, IBEC.

The claim comes as the social partners gathered at Government Buildings yesterday to try to formulate a national wage agreement following unsuccessful talks just over a month ago at which trade unions declared the social partnership project over.

The talks are expected to last at least seven days, with marathon sessions into the early hours forecast for the latter part of this week.