The DKM Construction Earnings Report 97- 07 commissioned by the CIF, has indicated that average wages in the building trade here have increased well ahead of other sectors and are out of line with Western Europe in general.

It also showed the following:

• Unskilled workers earn 52% higher wages than in Germany and 27% than in Spain.
• Average earnings in 2007 were €18 per hour ( 20.80 for skilled workers and €17.31 for unskilled)
• Average weekly earnings were €803 per week and the building sector worked 9.3% more than average industrial workers
• Construction Costs have increased 86% (SCS) from 1995 to 2007, or 71% (according to Bruce Shaw estimates) with wages cited as a major contributing factor to this.
• Profits will fall in the industry if labour costs are not contained

Click PDF above to view Summary of the Report