The Social protection Minister says wages have to now rise as part of the economic recovery.
Joan Burton made the call at the labour conference in Killarney.
The Public Expenditure Minister’s also revealed he wants to scrap legislation that allows him cut wages as soon as possible.
Joan Burton has this week championed a "living wage" – pay for people at a higher rate than the current minimum wage.
But today – 1000 days since Labour decided to enter Government – she’s gone further and said the time is now right for wage increases.
She says the earnings of the middle and working classes will fuel growth.
Earlier the Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin agreed that legislation that allows him cut wages for the higher paid in the public service should be repealed.
But there was one call from a delegate for the Tánaiste to resign because of his failure to deliver on services for the disabled.
