Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation Richard Bruton has said sectors covered by JLCs have seen catastrophic job losses of up to 25%.
He said the system needs radical reform, that rigid rules exist on overtime rates, Sunday time rates and very detailed regulation of different pay levels.
Mr Bruton said only 25% of the retail sector and half of the hotel sector are affected by the JLC system.
He said his reform proposals would not see the JLC rates reduced to the national minimum wage but a reform of the structures that are currently in place.
On whether Ireland should default on its debt, Mr Bruton said Ireland is in a very different situation to others.
He said default has huge implications for people’s deposits in banks, international investors and that it would do untold damage.
He said we are hitting the targets set and that Ireland will be able to start borrowing in 2012.
