The Society of St Vincent de Paul is warning that a campaign by employer organisations to lower the minimum wage could have a 'devastating' effect on already struggling families. SVP has hit out at IBEC and ISME and other groups who it says are ''trying to force further down'' the incomes of over 600,000 people currently living in poverty by lobbying for such a wage reduction.
''The cuts to community organisations, health services and education impact on these families and individuals but the cuts in their incomes represent a particular and real threat to their well-being,'' said John-Mark McCafferty, Head of Social Justice and Policy with SVP.
The Society made its call following the release of statistics that exposed Ireland as the second most expensive country in Europe for food and drink.
''Many families are struggling anyway with household, childcare and rent or mortgage costs so cuts in wages, working hours and welfare payments would just push them deeper into poverty. A cut in the minimum wage would devastate the most vulnerable groups in our society,'' Mr McCafferty added.
As a result SVP is among a variety of community organisations, charities and trade unions who have come together to form 'The Poor Can't Pay' campaign and Mr McCafferty is urging everyone to log on to the website (www.thepoorcantpay.ie) to have their voices heard: ''It looks like the Croke Park pay deal will go through so if the Government can safeguard the incomes of its own staff, then we'd ask it to do the same for those on lower incomes and social welfare.
''The poor have already paid and we have to make it known they can't afford to pay any more when it comes to future budgetary decisions.''
SIC: IC