IRELAND’S ECONOMIC woes have hit home in the workplace with workers here more likely to have been told they will not get a pay rise this year, according to a new survey.

Over three-quarters of Irish respondents do not expect their pay to increase this year, with 59 per cent having already been advised to that effect by their employers. A further 19 per cent are resigned to a pay freeze at best.

The figures are high by international comparison, with 50 per cent of US workers polled having been told they will receive no increase this year.

Elsewhere, the figures were 44 per cent in the UK and 42 per cent in Spain.

The survey was compiled by recruitment website Monster.ie.

The 78 per cent of Irish respondents not expecting an increase is the highest figure internationally, ahead of 64 per cent in Italy and 61 per cent in Luxembourg.

However, 12 per cent of Irish workers polled in the survey do expect a pay rise because “we get them every year”. A further 10 per cent hope to increase their salary by changing jobs, despite the current downturn.

The most bullish employees, according to the survey, are in Switzerland, where 44 per cent are confident of the prospects of a rise.

Respondents in Sweden (38 per cent) and the Netherlands (27 per cent) also report that they expect their annual pay rise.

The Irish figure for those expecting to see their salary jump as a result of a change of job is also low by international comparison.

Workers in Nordic countries appear to be particularly confident of their prospects in the employment market and are undaunted by the economic setback being confronted by most countries.

Forty one per cent of Norwegian respondents hope to move jobs for more money in 2009 as do 32 per cent of Danes, 26 per cent of Swedes and 25 per cent of Finns.

Monster.ie concedes that the polls it conducts are not scientific. The current survey involved visitors to its website between February 2nd and 13th.