Attempts to cut the minimum wage must be resisted - Ruane
Published: 7 June, 2010
Attempts to cut the minimum wage must be resisted - Ruane
Sinn Féin Councillor Therese Ruane has warned that any cut to the minimum wage would create severe hardship for low paid workers and must be opposed. She said such a move would force more families to rely on supplementary welfare assistance from the state and would have knock on impacts on across the local economy. Cllr. Ruane will be seeking the support of her colleagues on Castlebar Town Council at next Thursday's meeting for a motion, she has tabled insisting that there be no reduction in the minimum wage.
Cllr. Thérèse Ruane said:
"There is a vocal lobby to cut the minimum wage. Low paid workers are struggling to get by. €8.65 an hour does not go very far. They are already struggling to meet their bills and if their wages are cut they will be forced to rely on supplementary welfare assistance from the state. "
"People see what is happening. They see where the government's priorities lie. There is a clear attempt to drive down wages across the economy while insulating those at the top from any of any of these cuts. People have seen how pay cuts for higher civil servants were reversed and how pay increases were sanctioned for those at the top in Anglo Irish Bank. At the same time low paid workers in the public sector have had their wages cut. "
"Economic recovery will not be achieved by driving down wages. What is needed is a jobs stimulus package and specific intervention to assist potential growth sectors of the economy such as the IT sector, tourism, green jobs and agri-food. Sinn Féin has a vision and a plan to create a vibrant economy where workers are fairly paid. This is what we need to work towards. "
"The agenda that seeks to cut the minimum wage must be resisted. Those on low and average incomes and the unemployed must unite in opposing this agenda and in defence of the minimum wage. Sinn Fein will fight any attempt to cut the minimum wage." CRÍOCH.
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