Sir, There is growing pressure on the unions to agree to a new national agreement. Workers were led to believe over the past two agreements that if they agreed to pay restraint they would see a reduction in unemployment and a genuine effort at real tax reform.
But what have we got 281,800 on the live register and if those on CE Schemes, the pre retired, etc., all ways of keeping the unemployment figures down were included then the figure is nearer to 400,000.
On tax reform 90 per cent of all tax collected comes from the PAYE sector, the same as 20 years ago. Indeed the low paid and middle income earners are, worse off than ever if one includes the various charges hospital, dental and water and the taxation of disability and unemployment benefit. These must be seen as extra taxes on the same sector.
By contrast, over the periods of the past two agreements, workers have seen a massive increase in the profits of employers, the banks, rancher farmers and land rezoners. Both the FF Labour government and the rainbow coalition have reduced tax on these wealthy sectors as they have also done for the very highly paid. While at the same time introducing new taxes on the unemployed and the sick.
While the Workers' Party trade union group supports a planned approach to the economy there are essential demands that any new agreement must include.
Firstly there must be an end to tax reductions favouring very wealthy sectors. The self employed, including doctors, barristers, publicans must be seen to be paying their fair share. Measures must be introduced to tackle tax avoidance and evasion. The reintroduction of wealth tax. The taxation of people in difficult circumstances the sick and unemployed must be ended.
The State must be involved in the creation of real jobs to tackle our unacceptable unemployment rates. There is no point in Government sources telling us we have a booming economy while unemployment and poverty remain a way of life for a huge section of our people. Yours, etc., Chairperson, Workers' Party Trade Union Group, Hillcrest Avenue, Lucan, Co Dublin.