Calls for campaign to tackle rise of black economy

HUNDREDS of millions of euro are being lost each year to the black economy which is putting hundreds of jobs at risk, the Small Firms Association (SFA) has warned.

Increasing numbers of people in these recessionary times are looking to the black market for cheaper goods or cash-in-hand traders for less expensive services.

The SFA warned that legitimate businesses will lose out millions of euro to rogue operators who are employing people illegally and not making any contribution to the state.