Minimum wage: rise was a result of political need

The rise in the minimum wage is born of Labour’s political weakness, not economics

From left: Dónal de Buitléir, chairman of the Low Pay Commission; Tánaiste Joan Burton; Taoiseach Enda Kenny; jobs minister Richard Bruton; and small business minister Ged Nash at the launch of the commission’s recommendations in Dublin last week. Picture: Merrionstreet.ie
From left: Dónal de Buitléir, chairman of the Low Pay Commission; Tánaiste Joan Burton; Taoiseach Enda Kenny; jobs minister Richard Bruton; and small business minister Ged Nash at the launch of the commission’s recommendations in Dublin last week. Picture: Merrionstreet.ie

The forthcoming 50 cent rise in the minimum wage has its roots in the resignation of Eamon Gilmore as Labour leader after the party’s losses in the local and European elections.

Joan Burton and her ...