Labour urges support for living wage

The Labour Party has called for the introduction of the living wage in Ireland.

Tabling a bill in the Dáil last week, the party said the move would introduce a “much-needed pay rise for workers in Cavan” and deliver on long delayed commitments.

Local Labour Party representative Liam van der Spek has backed the bill and called for Government parties to listen.

“With the cost of living soaring and inflation at a 22-year high, Ireland needs a pay rise. The purpose of Labour’s bill is to amend the National Minimum Wage Acts to provide for a pathway to a living wage over three years and we are calling for immediate government action to deliver on this Labour Party bill.”

The living wage is based on what is considered “a minimum acceptable standard of living”.

“At present the minimum wage is set at €10.50 after the most recent 30 cent increase in January but it is not based on the cost of living. The living wage for 2021 was determined at a rate of €12.90 per hour.

“That is a €2.40 per hour wage gap that would make a real difference to the lives of so many people in Cavan.”

Under Labour’s bill, the living wage would be introduced on a phased basis over the next three years.