SIPTU critical of minimum wage changes

SIPTU has launched a campaign against Government plans to introduce exemptions from minimum pay requirements for employers whose workers earn among the lowest wages in the economy.

By as early as July, the Government intends to amend the Industrial Relations Bill 2009 to allow employers in areas such as construction, catering, contract cleaning and retail to plead inability to pay the minimum wage rates set by Employment Regulation Orders (EROs) and Registered Employment Agreements (REAs) for each industry.

Wage rates and conditions of more than 500,000 workers in the economy are set by the EROs and REAs. The legally binding minimums are set by agreed committees of employers and employees in each industry.