Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2010
168 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will give a commitment that the minimum wage will not be targeted as part of an agenda to drive down wages here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48603/09]
View answerThe Government continues to monitor wage movements in the labour market, and related developments in Employment Regulation Orders, Registered Employment Agreements and Social Welfare rates, so as to ensure that the National Minimum Wage, at its current rate, is not having an adverse effect on vulnerable workers and enterprises in a time of rising unemployment and declining nominal wages.
The guiding principles that inform adjustments to the level of National Minimum Wage under the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act, 2000, require account to be taken of the likely impact of any proposed change on employment, unemployment, overall economic conditions and national competitiveness.
