Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

First, I commend People Before Profit on bringing forward this motion on the national minimum wage. Currently, there are more than 380,000 workers earning below the definition of low pay. The recent increase in the cost of living, which was running at 5.5% in December, combined with the introduction of increases in carbon tax, rent increases, and increases in the cost of food, fuel, gas, coal, car insurance, house insurance, and the high cost of childcare, is pushing these 380,000 workers nearer and nearer the poverty line. This is resulting in some of the worst division of inequality in the State since the occupation of our country. The absence of a decent wage causes inequality on so many fronts - education, health and social inclusion - especially to a whole generation of young workers. That is why we have included an amendment to this motion seeking the Government to produce a roadmap to deliver a living wage within a strict timeframe.

A living wage is the minimum income necessary for a single adult in full-time employment to meet his or her basic needs. A living wage should be a matter of right. People are working and contributing to society, and it is their right that they should be able to afford basic needs such as healthy food, safe and secure accommodation and heating, as well as other essentials such as extracurricular activities and being able to provide a full and happy life for their children. Should that not be the goal of any civilised society?

The pandemic shone a bright light on how the bulk of low-paid workers worked tirelessly in shops, retail and supermarkets and delivered goods and services to the nation. These are the workers who literally kept the wheels turning. It is incumbent on us all that we do not allow decent working people to slip further and further away from a decent standard of living. This can be done by introducing a real living wage. This is about embedding a societal change that allows workers to share prosperity and the wealth of the country.

In 2019, Sinn Féin introduced a motion in the Dáil calling on the then Government to recognise the significant contribution low-paid workers make to the Irish economy and to introduce a living wage, with appropriate legal protections for those small or medium-sized enterprises that can show they cannot afford it. This motion was passed by the Dáil and supported by politicians from across the political spectrum. It is vital the Government follows up on its own words "to protect those who are hardest hit". Now is the Government's chance to do just that and to support the motion and the amendment before the House today.

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