The Government today unveiled a roadmap to increase migrant workers’ pay gradually up to 2030.
Key changes include an increase in the minimum salary for general employment permit holders from €34,000 to €36,605 from March 1.
Minimum salaries for those holding critical skills employment permits will rise from €38,000 to €40,904.
For meat processors, horticultural workers, healthcare assistants, and home carers, minimum salaries will rise from €30,000 to €32,691.
A spokesperson for the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) said the promised salary increases are lower than originally proposed and warned they will enable a “cheap labour tap” to keep flowing.
The Government wants employment permits to be used to recruit workers from outside the European Economic Area when staff are not available through normal recruitment or training.
It said in a statement that its policy addresses medium-term skills deficits but is not intended as a long-term substitute for upskilling the resident workforce. The new roadmap document follows a review of a 2023 plan to raise salary thresholds over two years.
The changes include lower starting salary thresholds for recent graduates.
The Government in a statement said its new phased approach will strengthen Ireland’s competitiveness while supporting businesses and workers.
It said instead of completing the increases by 2026, the plan introduces a gradual implementation to 2030.
Ictu social policy officer Laura Bambrick said the general employment permit salary thresholds will rise by 7.6pc in March instead of a previously proposed 14.7pc increase. She said critical skills permit thresholds will rise by 7.6pc instead of almost 16pc.
“Slashing the promised salary increases keeps the cheap labour tap flowing for employers and keeps kids miles apart from their parents working these jobs,” she said.
“It puts downward pressure on wages in low-paid sectors for all workers – resident and migrant.”
Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, and Alan Dillon, Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail, announced the new Roadmap for Minimum Annual Remuneration salary thresholds today.
The review considered over 150 submissions from the public including advocacy groups for migrant workers and business organisations.
“The intention of this roadmap is to strengthen Ireland’s competitiveness in attracting the vital skills and talent our economy needs—especially in sectors like healthcare and construction,” said Minister Burke.
“To balance the rights of workers with the needs of businesses, the changes will be introduced on a phased basis. This will give all sectors sufficient time to prepare.”
Minister Dillon said economic migration plays a vital role in our economy and society.
“Migrant workers bring essential skills and cultural diversity that enrich Irish life. These changes will not only ensure we offer good quality employment, with salary thresholds increasing in line with average earnings, but also strengthen Ireland’s competitiveness in attracting and retaining global talent.
“I want to thank all those who participated in the consultation—their feedback was invaluable in shaping a balanced and sustainable approach.”
