Employers: Expect no pay rises until 2013

IRISH workers struggling to cope with savage cutbacks, pay freezes and rising taxes have been told there is no opportunity of any salary increases until at least 2013.

A survey by the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) has claimed any expectations by staff that their loyalty during the downturn will be rewarded in the medium term are “unrealistic”.

According to the high-profile pressure group Irish wage levels “remain significantly out of line” with international markets, meaning companies should “not entertain” any pay rise requests over the next two years.