Govt considering lowering minimum wage

Workers in the hospitality sector may soon see their wages fall.

The Government is considering allowing employers in the hospitality, retail and construction sectors to claim an 'inability to pay' the legally-defined minimum wage.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan said that the lowering of the minimum wage in these sectors "would only apply where employees agreed to the measure in order to keep their jobs".

The Tánaiste said the matter is currently before the Labour Court.