Living Wage: ‘Genuine difficulties of SMEs shouldn’t be ignored’, says CSNA

CSNA CEO Vincent Jennings has asked the Committee to consider establishing “clearing house” or “sorting office”, possibly run by local Chambers that would help retailers to report crime and share evidence with An Garda Siochana

"As payroll costs increase, our wafer-thin operating margins experience pressure, making future investment plans and increased employment unlikely," says CSNA.

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The Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA) has set out its views on the latest Living Wage proposals.

The proposals follow the increased cost to payroll stemming from the implementation of the Statutory Sick Pay Scheme, the Auto Enrolment Scheme and possible changes to employers’ contribution of PRSI.

“Employers are becoming increasingly concerned that they, rather than the State are viewed as being responsible for the financial well-being of their employees,” said CSNA CEO Vincent Jennings. “Employers are not responsible for the enormous increases in the costs of living, they are not responsible for the lack of investment in childcare and housing or affordable transport.

“There is little doubt that our workforce are finding the experience of making ends meet both troubling and exhausting, but the answer cannot be solely to expect the employer to pay more money without very significant efforts from the State to reduce the costs affecting both employees and employers.

“Many of those claiming to represent workers will be ever-so-quick to suggest that if an employer’s business module requires their workforce to earn less than what they consider to be a Living Wage then they shouldn’t be in business. We are entering a phase where the genuine difficulties that small and medium sized enterprises experience seem to be ignored in favour of a populist and popular approach.

“Every employer and business owner in our sector must be aware that as payroll costs increase, our wafer-thin operating margins experience pressure, making future investment plans and increased employment unlikely,” Jennings added.

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