National PRO
Ógra Shinn Féin
Low paid and minimum wage workers are again in the firing line in the south following the announcement by the junior Minister for Labour Affairs, Dara Calleary, that he is to ammend the Industrial Relations Bill to include a "get out" clause which will allow companies in the hotel, catering and retail sector to claim an "inability to pay" the minimum wage.
Ógra Shinn Féin completley opposes any move to reduce the minimum wage. Such an action would affect the most vulnerable in society by allowing them to be exploited by employers. A decision to allow businesses to pay under the minimum wage will also greatly impact on young people and students, many of whom take part-time jobs in the catering, fast-food and retail sectors to help them through third-level education.
Pat Lynch of the Quick Service Food Alliance which represents fast-food outlets such as McDonalds, Supermacs and Subway said he estimated that 70% of the companies he represents would apply for an exemption claiming that food outlets have been put under "huge strain" due to the recession.
This is at odds with the official figures which show that fast-food businesses actually gain in times of economic recession. McDonalds for example, had profits of $1.22 Billion in the last 3 months of 2009, up 23% on the same period for 2008, while Supermacs had a four fold increase in profits last year.
The reality is that were such a clause to be brought in, it would undoubtedly be abused by companies to increase their profit margins. Once again Fianna Fáil has shown itself as a party for the rich who are not concerned at the effects such drastic legislation would have on the working class people of this country.
Fianna Fáil need to realise that the solution to the current economic crisis will be found in a national job creation strategy, investment in renewable industries and improvement of our national infrastructure - the solution to the financial crisis will not be found through job losses and wage cuts.
No comments:
Post a Comment