Unions have welcomed the Low Pay Commission’s recommendation that the statutory minimum wage should increase to €9.55. The proposed 30 cent rise is three times last year’s paltry 10 cent improvement, which was condemned by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

The Low Pay Commission, which includes union and employer reps as well as independent experts, was established two years ago to advise on the minimum pay rate. This year’s proposed increase equates to over 3% - in line with recent pay rises across the economy.

It is understood that independent members of the commission were persuaded by union arguments that, unlike last year, the increase should reflect what’s happening to wages in the wider economy.
Over 120,000 workers are set to benefit from the rise.