Figures reveal public-sector wages fared better than private sector

Earnings fell much more sharply in the private sector than the public sector in the 12 months to Q2 2009, according to official figures released today.

Ireland's first contribution to the Eurostat earnings and labour cost survey for the whole economy revealed that public-sector earnings slid by 3.1% on a weekly basis, with hourly earnings inching up 0.2%.