Talks on the next national wage agreement under Sustaining Progress will reopen in Dublin this afternoon.
A meeting that took place yesterday was said to be difficult. A number of unions are seeking wage increases of around 7 per cent over 18 months in a similar deal to that secured in the first phase of the deal in January last year.
However, the employers' body IBEC has insisted, despite some evidence of an economic upturn, that big pay rises are not on the cards.
The Society of St Vincent de Paul today said an increase of at least 50 cent an hour on the minimum wage was necessary to improve the standard of living of those on lower incomes.
Those taking part in the talks, including unions and employers, are remaining tight-lipped on the talks, which are reaching a delicate stage this weekend.