08/08/2016
SF Slams Proposals To Increase Part-Time Pension Threshold
Sinn Féin (SF) has slammed Government proposals to increase the threshold of part-time workers in order to qualify for the contributory State pension.
Under the new Budget plans, part-time workers will have to earn a minimum of €70 per week in order to receive the benefit. The current threshold is €38 per week.
With almost one in every four employees working on a part-time basis, Sinn Féin spokesperson for Social Protection John Brady TD said there is "nothing positive or progressive" about the change.
He said: "The Government are telling part-time workers to earn more in order to receive their State pension on retirement. So, how do the Government suggest workers go about doing this?
"One in four workers are part-time workers, there has been a huge increase in zero hour contracts and precarious employment in recent years. The idea that part-time workers are simply able to increase their wage by €32 is ludicrous but not at all surprising.
"To even consider this move is just another reminder of the ever growing distance between the Government and the people on the ground."
Mr Brady added: "The Government should work harder at moving people away from low-paid, precarious employment and towards a living wage with proper pension entitlements for all workers."
(LM/JP)
Under the new Budget plans, part-time workers will have to earn a minimum of €70 per week in order to receive the benefit. The current threshold is €38 per week.
With almost one in every four employees working on a part-time basis, Sinn Féin spokesperson for Social Protection John Brady TD said there is "nothing positive or progressive" about the change.
He said: "The Government are telling part-time workers to earn more in order to receive their State pension on retirement. So, how do the Government suggest workers go about doing this?
"One in four workers are part-time workers, there has been a huge increase in zero hour contracts and precarious employment in recent years. The idea that part-time workers are simply able to increase their wage by €32 is ludicrous but not at all surprising.
"To even consider this move is just another reminder of the ever growing distance between the Government and the people on the ground."
Mr Brady added: "The Government should work harder at moving people away from low-paid, precarious employment and towards a living wage with proper pension entitlements for all workers."
(LM/JP)
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