Sir, - Workers have made an enormous contribution over the past ten years by their willingness to work for low wages. Surely now, having contributed so much to the booming economy, they are due some reward. However, what the new Programme, Partnership 12,000, offers is more of the same. Not only is there no reward for their sacrifice, but to add insult to injury the massive profits that have been made on the backs of workers are being exported at an "alarming rate.
The opportunity to work towards genuine tax reform and equity has been missed and at the end of this agreement the PAYE tax take will still be the same at 86 per cent with the self-employed and farmers still paying a mere 14 per cent. Workers are denied a share in the huge profits that are being made and pay increases fall short of inflation rates. Furthermore, what is proposed in tax cuts is in reality the PAYE sector subsidising the banks, builders, etc.
While there are some welcome features such as changes in Family Income Supplement and measures to alleviate poverty traps, etc., overall it is difficult to see much that is positive in this agreement. Concern is expressed about the low paid, but tax and pay rise figures show those on £60,000 per annum gaining as much as six times that of the low paid worker on £8,000 per annum.
Attempts at setting the private against the public sector in discussing this Programme are to be condemned. Private sector workers deserve a real pay increase from the massive profits. Public sector workers - many low paid - equally deserve a share in the booming economy.
Many workers feel that some union leaders, particularly in the larger unions, are more interested in putting a programme together which would keep Labour and Democratic Left in government than the plight of the low paid.
There is little in this Programme to merit acceptance. - Yours, etc.,
Chairperson, Workers' Party
Trade Union Group, The Workers' Party,
11 Hillcrest Avenue,
Lucan, Co Dublin.