In a move that is certain to raise the ire of the hospitality trade in the capital, the lord mayor of Dublin has confirmed his intention to press ahead with plans to put up plaques outside businesses that pay the living wage.
Labour councillor Brendan Carr has confirmed that only businesses that paid €11.50 an hour would be eligible to apply for the plaques, reports thetimes.co.uk.
When the proposal was first mooted it was met by criticism from both the Irish Hotels Federation and Restaurants Association of Ireland, who argued that the move took no account of a business’s ability to pay and disregarded those with high staff numbers and low margins.
"While the business community might not see the sense in it, I believe that the public will," said Carr. "It will ultimately benefit everybody and I hope that when the plaques are launched owners will be more open-minded to them."
Carr added that the plaques would show 'a commitment to respecting workers and would be optional'. It's reported that the proposal will be pushed through before Carr's term comes to an end at the end of the month.
The current minimum wage in Ireland is €9.25 an hour.
