THE PROTECTION OF THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE IN IRELAND: DEFENSE TO EUROPEAN RECOMMENDATIONS

Ireland has made significant reforms to labor flexibility. International institutions have been attributed to the success of these measures to reduce unemployment. These reforms are part of the field of labor relations and social protection system. However, on minimum wage the Irish authorities have not yielded to pressure to reduce national minimum rate. Regarding the salary prescribed by law has been legislated resisting the recommendations of the European Union, in order to safeguard decent working conditions and ensure the containment of margins poverty. Certainly, the lowering process defendant minimum wage is legally contrasts with the European concept of flexisecurity, who demand a just and necessary balance in labor relations.