O'Connor: Lower-paid should not be 'crucified'

The President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions is calling on the Government not to target low-paid workers in the name of job creation.

It comes as the Cabinet meets today to discuss proposals by Jobs Minister Richard Bruton to reform existing wage agreements for low-paid workers.

ICTU President Jack O'Connor said the Government should focus on reducing costs to business by abolishing upward only commercial rents - instead of "crucifying" the low paid.

He said that taking money out of their pockets will have a major negative effect on consumer spending.

"The irony of cutting the pay of the lowest-paid 20% of people, who have to spend every cent that they receive in order to live from week to week, in circumstances where you are supposed to be concerned about consumer confidence, is quite frankly breathtaking," he said.