The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed is to seek representation on the Minimum Wage Commission. Neither the unemployed or any trade union is represented on the commission, whose composition was announced by the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, yesterday.
The commission's composition has also been criticised by the former Minister of State for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Pat Rabbitte. He said its terms of reference were too vague.
"It is not clear that all members of the commission have particular competence in this area. I would have thought that the INOU would have a person on it, or one of the unions with particular knowledge of the low-pay sector, such as Mandate or SIPTU," said Mr Rabbitte.
"It is not at all clear from the terms of reference that a national minimum wage will be established."
He said references to the possible adverse effects on employment and competitiveness of a minimum wage on small and medium-sized enterprises seemed to leave the question open.
The assistant general secretary of the INOU, Ms Mary Murphy, said her organisation would be writing to Ms Harney to seek membership of the commission.
She felt the commission should be representative of the various interest groups that were involved. This included the unemployed and the many low-paid workers who have experience of unemployment.
Ms Harney has acted quickly to set up the commission to meet the election pledge of Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats on a minimum wage. Announcing it yesterday, she said the Government "is determined to stamp out exploitation of workers that has no place in the Irish workplace".
"In addition, we must be protective of employment and competitiveness, especially in the context of small and medium sized firms."
The commission will be chaired by Ms Evelyn Owens, chairwoman of the Labour Court. Other members are Mr Phil Flynn, chairman of ICC Bank plc; Mr Peter Malone, managing director of Jurys Hotel Group plc and chairman of IBEC's services council; Ms Rita Ahern, managing director of Greenacres Food Ireland Ltd; and Ms Carmel Bolger, principal of Scoil Aine, Presentation Convent, Clondalkin, Co Dublin.