In this issue:
REAs probably protected by Industrial Relations Act 2012
Ballot on industrial action in Bus Éireann
SIPTU manufacturing conference launches declaration on workplace innovation
Agreement reached in Killarney Golf Club dispute
Strike action deferred at Shanganagh Waste Water Treatment Plant
Historic banners to the fore in Dublin May Day march
May Day in Belfast
Congress says time to abandon failed austerity and build a fair recovery
SIPTU calls for caution in regard to use of internships
Survey finds that 94% of young people do not want to emigrate
SIPTU welcomes C&AG report on Skills Programme fund
Nash questions closure of National Ambulance Control Centre
SIPTU welcomes ECJ court ruling in favour of Waterford Crystal workers
James Connolly Bridge campaign petition
SIPTU welcomes auditing of Department of Education building projects
SIPTU shop steward elected on to St. James Hospital Board
SIPTU meets with Diamond Innovations management to discuss threatened job losses
MANDATE Trade Union
Derry May Day and the Factory Girls
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to meet with youth workers
Galway’s trade union heritage celebrated
End Bangladesh's anti-union laws
View of Dublin City from the top of Liberty Hall
Caution needed over IBEC call to ease back on austerity
Global Labour Column
Action X Protest
James Connolly Memorial Lecture
Darkness into Light 5K Walk/Run
Fair Hotel
Book Sale in aid of Docklands Senior Provider Forum
Larkin Credit Union
The James Plunkett Short Story Award
Supporting Quality Campaign!
SIPTU Basic English Scheme
VHI Health Insurance
SIPTU Membership Services - Travel Insurance
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Caution needed over IBEC call to ease back on austerity

The decision of the employers’ organisation, IBEC, to abandon the sinking ship of one-sided austerity should be welcomed. We agree with its call in its latest quarterly report to call for the alleviation of the tax burden on low and middle-income families alongside increased investment in job creation.

However, there must be concern that the IBEC call to ease back on tax measures in the forthcoming budget may be a Trojan horse for those lobbying the Government to abandon its commitment to abolish pension tax relief for high end contributors. It was agreed in Budget 2013 that this measure would be implemented in Budget 2014.

The ending of pension tax reliefs for high-end contributors would result in savings of at least €250 million that should be used to alleviate the tax burden on lower income earners.

While tax alleviation for those on incomes at the middle and lower end of the spectrum should form a key part of an economic stimulus package, which is now clearly essential, there is still plenty of potential to raise at least €1 billion by increasing the contribution of those with wealth or high earnings over the next two budgets.

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