Workers ‘left behind’ in recovery

Ireland’s rapid economic growth is leaving workers far behind, while rising employment is still not impacting on those out of work for more than two years, according to figures from Eurostat.

The country will have the fastest GDP growth in the EU this year — slated to be even higher than China’s — but this is not being reflected in pay.

Irish productivity showed the second highest increase among the 28 member states, second only to Romania, but the indications so far are that this is not translating into better income for the workforce.