Average weekly earnings are rising faster that the rate of inflation according to the latest Central Statistics Office figures released today.
Average weekly earnings of industrial workers increased by 6.3 per cent when compared with June 2001. Industrial hourly earnings rose by 8.8 per cent, and average hours worked fell by 2.2 per cent in the same period.
The latest available inflation figure shows consumer prices rising at annual rate of 4.5 per cent.
Today's figures also show a fall in the number employed in industry. Industrial employment was 258,700 in June 2002, a fall of 10,300 from June 2001.