Average weekly earnings down 1.5%

The average weekly earnings of workers in Ireland fell by 1.5% from €699.94 to €689.54 during the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.

Figures released yesterday by the CSO show that weekly earnings have now fallen by 4.3% since 2008, when the average was €720.57.

Public sector workers fared worst over this period, with a fall of €50.91 a week or 5.3% over the past three years, compared to private sector workers whose earnings fell by €29.21 a week.