National minimum wage expected to rise to €9.55 per hour

The minimum wage is expected to be increased by 30 cent to €9.55 per hour later this year.

It is understood the Low Pay Commission has recommended the increase in a report to the Government. More than 120,000 workers would benefit from it.

A 30 cent per hour rise would be three times the level of increase recommended by the commission last year and accepted by the Government. The 10 cent rise was strongly criticised by trade unions at the time as inadequate.

The Cabinet is expected to consider the commission’s report next week.

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Advise

The commission was established by the Fine Gael/Labour coalition in 2015 to advise the government on the appropriate rate for the national minimum wage. It comprises an independent chairman appointed by the Government as well as representatives of unions, employers and campaign groups who came through a public appointment process.

A 30 cent increase would represent a rise of more than 3 per cent. This would be slightly ahead of average pay rises forecast for this year which are expected to be just under 3 per cent.