SIPTU Manufacturing has called for sectoral bargaining and raises in the minimum wages payable to work permit holders in its submission to the Government’s stakeholder consultation on ‘Increases to Employment Permit Minimum Annual Remuneration (MAR) Thresholds’.
SIPTU Manufacturing Divisional Organiser, Neil McGowan, said: “It is crucial for all workers in Ireland that it does not become acceptable to pay employment permit holders considerably less than those already employed in Ireland. Allowing this will simply create a race to the bottom for all workers.
“In our submission, SIPTU recommends the planned increases in MAR thresholds should proceed as planned with a concurrent establishment of Sectoral Collective Bargaining Units that will establish rates of pay that no worker will fall below, that will benefit all employees in the industries and recognise skills in the sector. This will ultimately result in a more productive workforce and make the industries more attractive as a place to work.
“While SIPTU Manufacturing Division fully supports increased and enhanced earnings for all workers in the Meat and Horticulture Sectors, any such pay rates must be applicable to all workers within the Sectors. The ongoing cost of living crisis and crippling rent and accommodation costs do not discriminate between those who hold workplace permits, or not, as the case may be.”
The MAR thresholds for the standard General Employment Permit was raised to €34,000 and the standard Critical Skills Employment Permit to €38,000 from January 2024. The thresholds for butcher/boner was adjusted to €34,000. The sub-minimum threshold for meat processing and horticultural workers of €22,916 was to be phased out and increase in line with other types of General Employment Permit roles from 2026.
To ensure MAR thresholds do not stagnate again, new indexation provisions in the Employment Permits Act 2024 require the Minister to assess on an annual basis whether the MAR thresholds are in line with any increases in average weekly earnings and to adjust the MARs accordingly. This would commence in January 2025.