Helpline: Sick Pay Move will close our businesses: Family Owned Shops
RGDATA, the representative association for 4,000 family owned shops, convenience stores and supermarkets today urged Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton not to proceed with a sick pay proposal that will close down businesses and threaten thousands of jobs.
“Furious shopkeepers who are struggling to keep their business afloat cannot believe this proposal to transfer responsibility for the first four weeks of sick pay from the State to individual employers,” said RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley. “They fear that this will be the final straw that will put them out of business and their staff out of jobs.”
The independent retail sector provides about 90,000 jobs in local communities all around the country. Many shop owners are battling for survival. They are not taking any salary out of the business for themselves whilst working 24/7 to serve their customers and source good value and special offers.
“Many of the retailers who have contacted RGDATA this morning cannot believe this proposal. Since 2007 they have done everything they can to cut their costs and make their business viable. Many have stopped paying into their pensions and are using their savings to keep the business open. Some are at the tipping point and a move such as the one proposed by Minister Burton relating to sick pay will close them down and put the people they employ out of jobs.”
For further info contact RGDATA 01-2887584 or email rgdata@rgdata.ie
