Sinn Féin - On Your Side

Decent Work And A Living Wage

The number one priority must be the creation of decent jobs with decent pay, and a real commitment to our SME sector. 70% of people employed in the private sector work for SMEs, and these businesses are the engine of our economy. Opening up public procurement, maximising the potential of ecommerce and abolishing upward only rents are just some of the ways government could and should make it easier to do business in Ireland.

Despite all the governments spin unemployment remains high with hundreds of thousands of people on the dole. Thousands more young people are still leaving in their droves because of poor opportunities, low wages and a lack of access to housing and childcare. This is creating a skills crisis for the future, and families left devastated at home.

We have one of the highest rates of low pay in the developed world. 20% of our workers are in low paid jobs and 50% of women are currently earning €20,000 or less a year. Employment continues to fall in the West of Ireland with fewer people in jobs than when Fine Gael and Labour entered government. Sinn Féin has introduced legislation to protect workers rights and entitlements, to abolish upward only rents and stop the worst expression of vulture capitalism as we’ve seen recently at Clerys.


Sinn Féin Would:



Related Policy Documents