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Small business employees can forget about a wage hike this year

This follows an IBEC survey earlier in the week suggesting a 2% wage hike across

AN IRISH BUSINESS group has hit back at predicted wage increases this year – saying such a move could damage small enterprises.

Earlier in the week figures from Ibec showed that more than half of Irish companies are planning on giving their workers a pay rise in the coming year.

However, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has warned that increases in these predictions could create “unfounded pay expectations” and called on employers to “hold the line” when it comes to employee wages.

Responding survey

In response to what it describes as a “big business/ semi-state survey”, the group issues their own figures on wages over the coming 12 months, and finds that employers are markedly less enthusiastic about providing a pay boost.

In its figures 71% of SMEs are not expecting a change to wage rates in the coming year. In addition to this – of the 26% who do anticipate a rise, it is thought it will come at only around only 1%.

Speaking about the new findings this week, ISME CEO Mark Fielding, said, “the situation for SMEs remains precarious. They have been struggling to stay afloat and owner-managers in particular have borne the brunt of the pain by taking huge pay cuts, and in some cases no salary at all, in an effort to keep their businesses afloat.”

The survey findings indicate that the majority of SMEs will not be in a position to increase wages during 2015 and in a small percentage of cases further reductions will be necessary.

Economy 

As part of their findings, Ibec – an umbrella group for Irish businesses – found that 57% of business were planning wage increases in 2015 which would go up by an average of 2%. This was in keeping with increases that occurred in 2015.

The group found that overall the Irish economy grew by 5.7% over the course of the year – a figure it described as “spectacular”. Factors thought to have contributed to this are a rise in Irish exports and a weak euro throughout the year.

Despite this, the ISME has pointed to inflation currently sitting at 0.1% as something that creates “no justification for cost-of-living increases” – going on to say that Ireland is still a “high-cost location” where it can be difficult for SMEs to get into profit.

Poll: Do you think you are going to get a pay rise this year?

Also: Good news: most companies plan on giving pay rises this year

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10 Comments
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    Mute grace kelly
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    Dec 2nd 2013, 10:31 PM

    So sad and may he rest in peace. Scary how many elderly people have been involved in fatal crashes over the past year…

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    Mute Dave Dson
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 12:43 AM

    As was Grace Kelly.

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    Mute George Vladisavljevic
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 5:45 AM

    Sick puppy.

    Totally uncalled for. May the poor man rest in peace and condolences to his family and friends.

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    Mute breda clarke
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 7:40 AM

    So sad that a life was lost and while it doesn’t clearly state his driving was the cause of the accident, I do believe that persons over a certain age should be assessed every two years on their driving ability for their sake and others on the road. R.I.P x

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    Mute Elaine Cassin
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 7:26 AM

    They say young drivers are bad, they need to put an age limit on driving, old people are a death trap on the roads, it’s prob a good thing that other car wasn’t a young family he could have wiped out

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    Mute Gary Harding
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 9:49 AM

    Well said Elaine!! im a proffessional driver and i see more bad driving from elderly everyday, they should sit there test yearly after 65 no excuses its going on too long!

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    Mute Brian Ward
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 10:39 AM

    Maybe you should find out what happened first before you jump to conclusions about bad driving.

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    Mute Jenster
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 11:09 AM

    As my Granny used to say, ‘Trouble on someone’s door’. Terribly sad news for his family. A few have commented already around the age of the victim. In fairness I have seen all age groups driving dangerously on our roads. But at the same time, it is a fact that our spatial awareness diminishes as we grow older and that is a risk on the road. This is why we don’t allow 10yr driving licences over a certain age and that renewals must be accompanied by a doctors report where necessary. I’m not saying age was a causing factor in this poor mans death, but it could be, depending on what caused the accident. In the same way when you hear about a younger person dying in a car crash, there is often an assumption of speed involved. Hence higher insurance premiums. The bottom line is that we still have shocking road death statistics for all age groups. This doesn’t seem to be changing. That is the biggest tragedy of all.

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    Mute Gary Harding
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 11:23 AM

    Totally agree jenster terrible tragedy and also i was speaking generally of older drivers for what i personally see everyday and what should be done to prevent more of this tragedy happen again!!

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    Mute Jenster
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 12:14 PM

    Absolutely Gary. And if you are on the road working each day, you will naturally be exposed to the driving patterns of different age groups so you are certainly in a position to be able to comment on it from your experience. I know of an older lady who took the side off a car driving up a street (as well as her own) but I’m not sure she was aware she had done it. Even speaking to her days or weeks after. She left the scene so I assumed she didn’t realise until the Garda knocked on her door giving her a right fright! She was off the road then. Not because she was forced mind you but because her confidence wouldn’t let her. She was scared by what she had done unknowingly. The confusion and lack of spatial awareness that comes with older age is very scary. Never mind throwing a car into the mix…

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    Mute Jennifer O'Suillibhain
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 5:10 PM

    As an American who has driven that road when coming over to visit it is a tough road. Please allow me the chance to apologize to everyone who went around me because I went so slow but with many roads you need to be on your toes and aware of your surroundings at all times. My deepest prayers and thoughts with the families and I am sure God is watching over him with love.

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    Mute mumatwork
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 10:20 AM

    He was still somebody’s father and grandfather!
    May he rest in peace

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    Mute Eric Davies
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 12:45 PM

    while it very sad that this man has lost his life, i have to go along with other poster here in respect of elderly drivers. i see elderly drivers everyday who can bearly walk or read a newspaper in front of them ,yet they get into a car and drive. if they have problems walking how can their legs be strong enough to operate a brake pedel in an emergency, let alone their reaction times. you will also see elderly drivers ‘park ‘ in the middle of the street because they cant monouver the car into a space due to failing spacial awarness, the biggest problem is in rural areas, there is not a regular or decent public transport system and little or no hospital transport for them to use. whats the point of giving the over 70′s a free traval pass then not providing the transport links?.
    driving licences should be reviewed every 2 years once you reach retirement age (65) and every 12 months once you reach 75 yrs old, as part of the review a full eyesight test should be carried out and also a ‘simulated’ reaction test . only if you pass these tests should you them be allowed to drive.

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    Mute frank griffin
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 6:07 PM

    65 is young and my eye sight is perfect had my eyes tested 2 weeks ago and i could read the bottom line i would concider it an insult to 65 year olds to have to do some test just to keep those who believe that 65 is old speak from experience or shut up

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    Mute Eric Davies
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    Dec 3rd 2013, 7:06 PM

    frank , im in my mid fifties myself and have eyetests every year, its not an insult at all its a precaution, there are a lot of people out there driving who dont bother with eyetests, using the same glasses that they have had for years, so long as they can see the telly they think its grand. eyesight and reactions deteriate as we get older most of the time those changes are small and we dont really notice, at least with regular check ups you know if you were safe to drive or not . when you have your regular eye check up they could issue you with some sort of certificate to say you were ok to drive (using glasses if required) you then forward this on to your insurance compony ar local authority and your covered for the next 2 years. better safe than sorry frank.

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