Living Wage proposal called ‘disingenuous’
SINN Féin Councillor Tom Forde has been accused of ‘playing politics’ after requesting that Wexford County Council promote itself as a Living
Wage employer.
Cllr Forde’s motion condemned the Government’s decision not to increase the minimum wage in this year’s budget saying it was ‘a slap in the face to the 137,000 workers who currently earn the minimum wage.’
However, Fine Gael Councillor Jim Moore questioned the timing of Cllr Forde’s motion, suggesting it was no coincidence it was being tabled as the major parties geared up for the by-election.
‘It’s easy know there’s an election in progress because the motion doesn’t address that the minimum wage has risen three times during the term of this Oireachteas session,’ said Cllr Moore.
‘Also, I’m a bit surprised this should come in the form of a motion rather than a submission, given that we have a finance meeting due and a budgetary meeting due. It’s a bit disinegenuous that, in the midst of an election, somebody is trumpeting issues that are populist in nature but fail to realise the reality here for the local authority.’
The reality is, according to Director of Services Eddie Taffe, that Wexford County Council can’t change wages or salary scale as they are determined by national agreements. Cllr Diarmuid Devereux was even more strident than his Fine Gael colleague and accused Cllr Forde of ‘playing politics’.
‘The whole area of the minumum wage is part of the programme for Government between the Government party and the opposition. We don’t have a say in Wexford County Council what the minimum wage is, so stop playing politics.’
Having agreed to amend his motion and return with it a later date, Cllr Forde released a separate statement in which he reiterated his stance on the current standard of living for those in the lower wage brackets.
‘In our Alternative Budget, Sinn Féin showed how a Living Wage could be introduced, whilst also protecting financially vulnerable businesses. To scrap the increase in the minimum wage is a nasty move, and to blame it on Brexit won’t fool anybody.
‘Our motion calls for the government to recognise the huge contribution lower paid workers make to our economy and calls on the government to introduce a Living Wage of €12.30 per hour. This motion also calls for Wexford County Council to become a Living Wage employer. It’s important that the local authorities and the government as employers take the lead and set this example.’