asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development the estimated overall percentage increase in average earnings in 1979 and 1980.
Written Answers. - Increase in Average Earnings.
496.
It is estimated that the increase in average earnings in 1979 will be of the order of 16 per cent. This estimate is necessarily tentative as the latest official earnings data relate to a week in the middle of December, 1978.
I cannot at this stage provide an estimate for the increase in average earnings in 1980. The carry-over effect of pay increases from 1979 into 1980 together with the payment of the second phase increase under the National Understanding will of themselves result in an increase in average earnings of about 12 per cent in 1980. This estimate excludes any provision for wage drift in that year. The scope for any further increase following the expiry of the national understanding is, therefore, very limited especially in view of the energy situation and the need to decelerate inflation.