Unions Demand Action on Cost-of-Living Crisis on International Workers' Day

Unions are calling on the Government to address the cost-of-living pressures affecting workers, coinciding with International Workers' Day (May Day).

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and the Dublin Council of Trade Unions will hold their annual May Day rally and march from the Garden of Remembrance to Liberty Hall. The theme, «Can You Afford to Live?», highlights how affordability and housing crises impact young people. Owen Reidy, ICTU General Secretary, stated workers are being «priced out» by high rents and insufficient wages, warning the government against expecting workers to absorb crisis costs.

Unite Trade Union's Irish Secretary, Susan Fitzgerald, affirmed workers will not tolerate being shortchanged and are determined to secure inflation-busting pay increases. The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) is using May Day to demand the immediate abolition of sub-minimum pay rates for young workers, which affects over 27,000 individuals under 20. Ireland is one of the few EU countries allowing this age-based pay discrimination, despite the Low Pay Commission's recommendation to abolish it. Minister Peter Burke stated the government has deferred a decision until 2029.