Wage reforms ‘could cause poverty’

Published: Monday, June 27, 2011

ENTERPRISE Minister Richard Bruton has been warned that his proposals to reform wage-setting mechanisms could cause poverty for hundreds of thousands of low-paid workers.

A coalition of unions and social justice groups has written to Mr Bruton, calling on him to release the economic analysis behind his proposals to reform the joint labour committee (JLC) mechanisms.

The coalition includes SIPTU, UNITE, Mandate, the Communication Workers' Union, the National Women's Council, the Migrant Rights Centre, the Community Platform and the Anti-Poverty Network.

Mr Bruton's proposals are set to be discussed by the Cabinet today, but it is thought no decisions will be announced until after Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore address an Irish Congress of Trade Unions conference next week.

In its letter to the minister yesterday, the coalition said JLCs protected the wages and conditions of hundreds of thousands of Ireland'slowest-paid workers.

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