Increase in the National Minimum Wage effective from 1st July 2001

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Harney today (Tuesday 19th June, 2001) announced that a publicity campaign involving all the main media is being conducted by her Department to raise awareness of the increase in the National Minimum Wage from the beginning of July.

As and from the 1st July, 2001 the National Minimum Wage is to increase from its present rate of £4.40 (€ 5.59) per hour to £4.70 (€ 5.97) per hour.

This is the first of two increases to the national minimum wage agreed by the social partners and accepted by the Government as part of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The second will see the National Minimum Wage increase to £5.00 (€ 6.35) per hour from the 1st October, 2002.

The Act has now been in operation for over a year since its introduction in April, 2000. The Tánaiste stated that, "the enforcement of the terms of the National Minimum Wage Act is an integral part of the work of the Labour Inspectorate of my Department who will be ensuring compliance with the increased rate".

The Tánaiste said, "the national minimum wage legislation was a key priority for Government in order to protect vulnerable employees. The Government is committed to removing those earning the national minimum wage from the tax net and significant progress has been made to date on that commitment".

Anybody seeking information on the increase in the national minimum wage can telephone the Employment Rights Information Unit at (01) 6313131.