Critical of reduction in wage, every now and then! (5)
I believe the answer is:
acute
'critical' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'reduction in wage every now and then' is the wordplay.
'reduction' becomes 'cut' (cut is a kind of reduction).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'every now and then' indicates alternate letters (letters selected at regular intervals).
The alternating letters of 'wage' are 'ae'.
'cut' put within 'ae' is 'ACUTE'.
'of' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for acute that I've seen before include "Penetrating; accent" , "Extremely sharp or intense" , "Sharp; type of accent" , "Sharp as of mind - or pain" , "Critical, serious" .)