The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has criticised the employment minister Regina Doherty for her decision to defer the implementation of a 30 cent increase in the national minimum wage.

The rise, which was recommended by the Low Pay Commission in July, was set to bring the national minimum wage for adults to €10.10 an hour – a first-time break of the €10 threshold – but it would still have been significantly lower than the living wage, which stands at €12.30 an hour.

In recent years, Low Pay Commission recommendations have generally been adopted by Government and implemented the following year. The minister linked this year’s deferral to the threat of a no-deal Brexit.

ICTU's general secretary Patricia King said that the decision to defer could only be described as “reprehensible”, and “effectively means that the Government has decided to penalise the 130,000 lowest paid workers of the state.”

Congress has continuously argued for further increases to the minimum wage in the event of a no-deal Brexit, given the likely negative effects on low paid and low income workers.

“Deferring the recommended 30 cent increase will mean that all workers on the national minimum wage will end up paying the price for Brexit,” said King.

For more information on ICTU's position click HERE.

For more information on the living wage click HERE.