Businesses struggling to keep doors open oppose pay rises

Junior employment minister Ged Nash has admitted there “may well” be an expectation among those earning the minimum wage that it should be increased, but employers are warning any rise will hit competitiveness and cost jobs.

Mr Nash was addressing the joint Oireachtas committee on jobs, enterprise, and innovation which was examining the National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill 2015.

“We are very serious about issues pertaining to low pay,” he told the committee.