The cut in minimum wage came into force today on February 1. Sinn Féin General Election candidate, Thérèse Ruane has described this as a shameful attack on the working poor. Sinn Féin will reverse the cut to protect other low income earners, according to Cllr Ruane. She insists that such a move will force more families into poverty and to rely on supplementary welfare assistance from the State. She also warns on the knock on effect for local businesses in the local economy.
Cllr Ruane said: “February 1, St Brigids Day, the first day of Spring should be a day of hope, a day of looking forward. Not so for anyone on minimum wage who will see their income cut by €40 a week on this shameful day in 2011.
“Low paid workers were struggling to get by on €8.65 an hour; now they will struggle even more to meet their bills and many will be forced into poverty and to rely on supplementary welfare assistance from the State.
“Economic recovery will not be achieved by driving down wages. Pushing people into poverty will not stimulate this economy. What is needed is a jobs stimulus package and specific intervention to assist potential growth sectors of the economy such as the IT sector, tourism, green jobs and agri-food. Sinn Féin has a vision and a plan to create a vibrant economy where workers are fairly paid. This is what we need to work towards.”
