Dublin: The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has demanded that the minimum wage in Ireland be increased by two euros beginning in January 2024. The union wants to raise the current national minimum wage of €11.30 per hour to €13.30.
The ICTU reminded the government that such increases would improve low-wage workers’ access to a decent standard of living.
The ICTU also wants to raise the minimum wage by another €2 in January 2025.
In this age of the cost of living crisis, ‘workers who are paid less than the national minimum wage are suffering. ICTU General Secretary Owen Reidy said: “We believe that reducing the minimum wage based on age is wrong and outdated. Reidy went on to say.
https://twitter.com/owenreidy/status/1661629757501370369?s=20
The government is also supportive.
Last year, the government announced plans to replace the minimum wage with a new national ‘living wage’ by 2026. It will be phased in over four years, beginning this year, and will be set at 60% of the average hourly wage.
In 2023, it is estimated to be equivalent to around €13.10, according to government figures.
The most recent increase in the minimum wage occurred on January 1, 2023, with an 80-cent increase.
The ICTU said it welcomed the government’s commitment to moving to a national living wage but added that it needed to happen as soon as possible.
Irish Samachar English News
Kindly click the link below to join WhatsApp group chat to get important news and breaking news from Irish Samachar.