No job cuts expected at Amazon Ireland despite reports of lay-offs – Varadkar
Job cuts at Amazon in Ireland are not planned, the Tanaiste has said.
Leo Varadkar also said he was not expecting significant job losses from Intel.
His comments came as reports in the US suggest tech giant Amazon is expected to lay off 10,000 people worldwide.
“Our initial advice from the IDA, which has been in touch with Amazon, is that they’re saying no job losses are currently anticipated for Ireland,” the Fine Gael leader said.
“But, of course, that could change.”
Mr Varadkar added: “We had good engagement with Intel as well in the last couple of days and while we’ve no absolute guarantees from Intel, we’re not expecting significant types of job losses from that company.”
“We haven’t heard anything from Twitter as yet, we haven’t received the formal redundancy notification from Twitter,” he said.
“We have received indications today, from Ulster Bank who are laying off some staff, Wayfair, and also Intercom.
“Obviously, my thoughts are very much with the people working in those businesses who’ve been informed they are going to be made redundant.
“Government will stand behind them in terms of providing any assistance we can.”
He added: “For a very long time, for the best part of two years, was almost positive news only on the jobs front.
“It was all jobs enhancements and very few lay-offs, now we’re seeing much more of a mix: a mix of lay-offs, and also positive jobs announcements, and we’re still projecting net jobs growth for next year.”
The Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister made the remarks as he announced the introduction of a national living wage for employees at a press conference at Government Buildings in Dublin on Wednesday.
The Government has agreed the national living wage will be set at 60% of hourly median wages in line with the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission.
It will be introduced over a four-year period and will be in place by 2026, at which point it will replace the national minimum wage.
Mr Varadkar added it will be an important step towards eradicating low pay employment.
The first step towards reaching a living wage will be the 80 cent increase to the national minimum wage from January 1 to 11.30 euro per hour.
This will be followed by gradual increases to the national minimum wage until it reaches 60% of hourly median earnings.
Next year, it is estimated that 60% of median earnings would equate to about 13.10 euro per hour.