VFI joins Save Jobs campaign

Pat Crotty, VFI chief executive, says that the number of labour cost interventions over the past few months is placing its members under enormous strain

The VFI has joined the ‘Save Jobs’ campaign in response to the growing threat to small businesses arising from increased labour costs. Partnering with a number of other trade organisations, the VFI is calling for a permanent nine per cent VAT rate for the food service.

The campaign is also highlighting the fact that the manner in which the National Minimum Wage (NMW)/Living Wage is being calculated ignores the fact that workers in large firms are paid €287.67 per week (38%) more than workers in SMEs; and public servants are paid €351.92 per week (46%) more. Small business cannot afford to be benchmarked against such high wages.

Pat Crotty, VFI chief executive, says: “The sheer number of labour cost interventions over the past few months is placing our members under enormous strain. The move to a living wage will only increase the challenge for businesses to stay afloat so the Save Jobs campaign is very timely.

“While everyone supports the right of workers to receive better conditions it can’t be at the cost of closing down businesses. Government need to recognise that small firms are disproportionately impacted by these changes and must intervene with supports for the sector.”

A campaign has been established, which has a working website, savejobs.ie. Among those organisations who have initially signed up to the Savejobs.ie campaign with ISME are the Irish Hairdressers Federation; Restaurants Association of Ireland; Irish Hardware Association; Nursing Homes Ireland; Retail Excellence Ireland; Hair and Beauty Industry Confederation; Vintners’ Federation of Ireland; and Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association.