Cutting minimum wage will not save jobs or boost economy, committee hears

THERE is no evidence to suggest that cutting the minimum wage will either save jobs or boost the economy, a cross-party group of politicians has been told.

Speaking at the Oireachtas Enterprise, Trade and Employment committee yesterday, the director of independent economics and social group TASC insisted that any cuts to the basement payment level would not improve Ireland’s financial situation.

During the meeting representatives of business group IBEC said reducing the minimum wage below the current €8.65 level would keep some firms open and allow others to be available to customers for longer periods of time.