The average weekly earnings for workers in the construction industry increased from €793.61 to €848.56 between December 2006 and December 2007, a rise of 6.9%.

According to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) there was an increase of 4.9% in the hourly rate paid to all grades of workers in the industry - from €17.90 to €18.77.

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The number of hours worked per week also rose by 2.0% from 44.3 hours to 45.2 hours.

Weekly earnings for unskilled workers rose by 5.9% from €791.57 to €838.42 over the year. The hourly rate increased from €16.98 to €17.42 and the number of hours worked each week increased from 46.6 to 48.1.

Skilled operatives saw their weekly earnings increase by 6.9% from €885.68 to €946.67 over the same period.

The hourly rate rose from €20.04 to €20.97 and the number of hours worked each week increased from 44.2 to 45.1

The CSO survey began in 1969 and since quarter 2 of 1975, the survey has covered enterprises with 10 or more employees.

(VB/JM)