RETAILERS throughout the State are finding it increasingly difficult to find workers despite the high level of unemployment.

Mr Michael Campbell, director general of the small grocers' association RGDATA, says in the current issue of ShelfLife magazine that there is a severe shortage of people willing to take on a career in retailing. He argues that the payment of the minimum agreed rate of £80 per week is not enough to entice young people off the dole queue and into the workforce. Mr Campbell said RGDATA members were offering salaries of up to £120 per week, but were finding it impossible to fill positions. Unless the Government makes working more attractive than the dole retailers will be faced with a huge problem over the next five years, according to Mr Campbell.