Low pay must top political agenda
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The on-going dispute at Dunnes Stores has highlighted the scandal of low pay and insecure employment in this country, which has the second highest number of low paid workers in the OECD. Dunnes Stores has also the largest number of workers in any Irish company in receipt of family income supplements which represents a subsidy by the State to an employer who is clearly exploiting much of its workforce.
Many workers complain that the minimum 15 hour contracts they are forced to accept prevents them from obtaining bank or credit union loans and from securing rental accommodation or mortgages. The situation is not unique to Ireland and on Wednesday (15th April) tens of thousands of workers protested against low pay and precarious work in the global ‘Fight for 15' ($15 per hour) campaign for a minimum wage in the fast food industry.
They were joined by low paid workers in the cleaning, catering, retail and hospitality sectors in many cities across the globe in a campaign that has made a major impact in the US in the year before a presidential election.
With a general election due here in less than 12 months, low pay and decent work must be placed at the top of the political agenda along with long awaited pay rises across the economy.
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