A thriving economy and sustainable business require tackling workers’ poverty – Rose Conway-Walsh TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Rose Conway-Walsh TD, has said that ongoing global economic turbulence cannot not be used as a smokescreen for government row back on pre-election commitments on workers’ rights.

Teachta Conway-Walsh said:
 
“For weeks now I have called for increased government supports for Irish businesses in light of the ongoing threat of the imposition of tariffs and counter tariffs.
 
“However, the kite flying by government over the weekend around its commitments to increase the national minimum wage are reprehensible.
 
“We now see the government reneging on its commitments to workers, at a time when workers never worked so hard and struggled so much.
 
“The living wage is a recommendation of the Low Pay Commission designed to protect workers from poverty, which the government has committed to introducing.
 
“There are many other ways in which the government could support businesses.
 
“Sinn Féin supports the introduction of the 9% VAT rate for hospitality businesses, reductions in the cost of energy and we proposed an employers PRSI rebate.  At this time, businesses also need direct and easy-to-access support for digitisation and decarbonisation.
 
“Instead of looking to make workers pay, government should now utilise the €1.5 billion surplus in the National Training Fund to give back to businesses to upskill workers to help maintain and increase productivity.
 
“The businesses I meet with tell me that the number one barrier to increasing their competitiveness at the minute is the lack of housing.  This needs to change and we also need to see government investment in water, renewable energy and transport to enable businesses to grow and diversify.
 
“Recruitment is another significant concern for many businesses, the introduction of a living wage will assist companies trying to recruit new staff.
 
“A thriving economy depends on sustainable businesses and a skilled and valued workforce. Increasing workers’ poverty is neither in the interest of the employer, the worker, or the State – while the introduction of the living wage would bring benefits right across the Irish economy.
 
“Workers did not cause this economic uncertainty, and they certainly should not be the ones paying for it.”