WORKERS ARE earning €5 less in every €100 than they did in 2008, according to the Small Firms Association.

According to association director Avine McNally nominal wages have fallen by 5 per cent, while basic pay has “fallen back to more realistic levels”.

Similarly, the number of companies offering other rewards, such as sick pay, pension, health insurance and top-up leave entitlements has also dropped.

About half those surveyed expect pay to remain unchanged this year.

The yearly pay survey published yesterday is based on responses from the association’s members.

It shows 18 per cent of workers earn less than €25,000 a year, 42 per cent earn between €25,000 and €35,000, 30 per cent earn €35,000 to €45,000, and 10 per cent earn more than €45,000.

Meanwhile, another survey published yesterday warned that State agencies and big business are contributing to a late payments problems that is “crippling” many of the small firms that supply them.

The Irish Small and Medium-sized Enterprise association said the average time taken to pay small business for goods or services has stretched from 72 days last winter to 73 days.

The standard should be 30 days.