The Taoiseach, Tanaiste along with Ministers Bruton and Nash have launched the new Low Pay Commission, which features two prominent figures of the retail community.
On the commission this year are Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association and Tom Noonan Chief Executive of The Maxol Group.
The body will have until mid-July to report back to Government on the appropriate rate of minimum wage. The Low Pay Commission will also examine the rate on an annual wage going forward.
The establishment of the new body was a key commitment in the Statement of Priorities agreed by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste last year.
In order to evaluate the rate of minimum wage, the commission will examine existing data and launch new research if necessary, along with working directly with both employers and workers.
Speaking at the launch Taoiseach Enda Kenny said, "This Government will make work pay, as gainful employment is the route out of poverty. We have to break cycles of intergenerational poverty for the good of our society.”
He added, “We have committed to continuing this policy of targeted tax reductions for workers in the next budget. To protect existing jobs, I will also ask Government to look at measures to mitigate the impact any changes could have on small employers."
The Tánaiste Joan Burton said, “The Low Pay Commission represents the next step in the Government prioritising work and fairness as the economic recovery takes hold. Having a job is the best protector against poverty, and fair wages and conditions are essential to that.”
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Hannah Popham.
