The government has called for a two-year freeze in the minimum wage at talks with the social partners, but it is not planning to cut the pay rate, despite pressure from employers and economists. Senior government sources have confirmed that a proposal to hold the €8.65 per hour rate until 2011 was tabled at talks in recent weeks, but neither the trade unions nor the employers have responded. Union leaders reacted furiously last week when the finance minister appeared to contemplate a cut in the minimum wage if the rate is “inhibiting job creation in any particular sector”.
The Times