Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD has said that public sector workers deserve equal pay for equal work, and that this must be a priority of the Government in the next budget.
Speaking today, Teachta Doherty said; “The decision by Minister Donohoe to enter into talks with Unions regarding lower bands of pay for new entrants to the public sector is to be welcomed.
“Some 58,000 new entrants to the public sector have been negatively affected by the cross-board cut to their pay scale imposed upon them in 2011.”
Doherty estimates that the cost to rectify this over the course of a full year is €200 million; he adds that this must be rectified immediately, and “cannot be dragged out over years.”
“Sinn Féin opposed the lower pay scales when they were imposed by the Government and have vigorously held successive Governments to account on this issue since. The issue of equal pay for equal work must be a priority for Minister Donohoe come the next budget.
“There is now an opportunity to resolve this injustice through dialogue, and I hope that Minister Donohoe heeds this notice and makes this a priority for budget 2019.”
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