“Government must address low wages in the Budget – Senator Paul Gavan

SINN Féin Senator, Paul Gavan speaking on the news that the Living Wage Technical Group (LWTG) has recommended that the living wage in Ireland should be raised to €12.90 per hour.

Seanadóir Gavan said;

“It’s not surprising that the LWTG has recommended such a sharp increase in the living wage.

“We are experiencing a rapid rise in the cost of living while wages have remained stagnant.

“The spiralling costs of rent alone accounts for 3.9% of the 4.9% increase, along with increases in transport costs, communication costs and Energy (fuel/Heating) costs.

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“The cost of living in Ireland is rising and is leading to a reduced standard of living, which will in turn push our younger people to other shores, we cannot afford another mass exodus of our youth as we begin to recover from the Covid-19 setback.

Echoing the words of SIPTU researcher, Michael Taft, Senator Gavan said;

“The continued increase in the living wage has shown, yet again, the Government’s failure to tackle the rapidly rising costs of rent and the failure to provide the right for employee’s to bargain collectively.

“The Programme commits to a living wage and now is the time for the Minster to put his money where his mouth is”

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