Restaurant chiefs say 20,000 jobs at risk
Monday, 16 November 2009 22:13
The Restaurants Association of Ireland has warned that over 20,000 jobs are at risk in the sector.
The Association says 80% of its members are losing money and one in three restaurants could close in the next six months with a potential loss of €700m to the economy.
The RAI is calling on the Government to take a series of measures to ensure the viability of the sector.
It has outlined a ten-point plan that it says could boost the sector and help prevent the loss of the jobs.
The proposals cover a wide range of measures, from reducing local authority charges for restaurants to removing the air travel tax to attract more tourists.
The association advocates reducing the minimum wage from €8.65 per hour to €7.65 and abolishing the Sunday premium payment scheme.
It asks that companies be allowed to reclaim VAT incurred on corporate dining. It also wants the excise duty charged on wine served as part of a meal to be reduced.
The restaurant industry employs 64,000 people and contributes €2 billion to the Irish economy each year.
