Irish workers are paid poorly by European standards, a new report claimed today.
The trade union-sponsored study found Irish staff receive less holiday time and work longer hours than their European counterparts.
"Rather than being paid too much, Irish workers are paid too little and have a long way to go before reaching even European averages," Michael O'Reilly of the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union said.
"Employers' organisations claim wages are too high and are undermining our competitiveness. These claims are based on misrepresentations and selective use of statistics. The fact is Irish wages are low by European standards."
Mr O'Reilly, ATGWU regional secretary, announced the union's report entitled Irish Wages: Still a Long Way to Go - a study comparing Irish wages with European wage levels.
Its key findings were:
- Irish industrial wages are nearly 10 per cent behind that of the EU-15 average.
- Payroll taxes and employers' PRSI are half of the European average.
- Irish workers receive less secondary benefits (eg holiday time, annual bonuses) and work longer hours than their European counterparts.
- Nearly 20 per cent of workers are officially 'low-paid' — the second highest proportion in the EU.
- Self-employed income has increased by nearly 10 times the rate of
PAYE workers.