Wage reforms ‘could cause poverty’

ENTERPRISE Minister Richard Bruton has been warned that his proposals to reform wage-setting mechanisms could cause poverty for hundreds of thousands of low-paid workers.

A coalition of unions and social justice groups has written to Mr Bruton, calling on him to release the economic analysis behind his proposals to reform the joint labour committee (JLC) mechanisms.

The coalition includes SIPTU, UNITE, Mandate, the Communication Workers’ Union, the National Women’s Council, the Migrant Rights Centre, the Community Platform and the Anti-Poverty Network.