Get real about Industrial Jobs

by John Mon Oct 25, 2004 14:43

You are right up to a point. Without doubt the percentage of the workforce employed in manufacturing will decline in almost all Western countries in the next 25 years. As a matter of interest, the decline in Ireland over the past 25 years is less than in any other OECD country. However, it hardly matters. Provided a country has low labour taxes, low corporate taxes, an enterprise culture etc, it will generate other jobs to take their place. Ireland is the prime example of this. In the past decade the number of people employed in manufacturing has fallen slightly, but the total number employed has increased by 50%, the largest increase in the world. That's why unemployment is 4% and we have massive net immigration. Other countries to do well in increasing total employment are the UK, the USA and Australia. These are all countries with relatively low taxation and a strong enterprise culture. Countries which have done badly in replacing lost manufacturing jobs with other jobs are mainly the high-tax ones in the continental EU. Rather than whining about what is an inevitable trend, you'd do better to learn the lessons that these countries provide.

by Maeve Tue Nov 02, 2004 00:39

I hope your prediction is wrong about no more industrial jobs for Westport with the announcement of over 300 jobs to go in Alergan (not too much thick or thin there). Its sad that a politician only sees people as being too expensive, not in their true worth. The reality is that there are still high value manufacturing jobs for well trained workers and the councilor should be seeking these instead of calling for low paid low skilled service jobs.

by Jim Holloway Tue Nov 02, 2004 01:37

It does matter very much.Both Britain and Ireland are losing their national identities as their Governments pursue globalist economic policy at the expense of indigenous Industry.
The so-called "Celtic Tiger" was the biggest confidence trick ever,pulled on a demoralised and gullible public who have been almost literally brainwashed by internationalist propaganda from all of the main parties.Ironically,the so-called "Nationalist" and "Republican" parties seem perfectly willing to throw away every last vestige of our national independence.
What this country needs more than ever is policies designed to encourage local enterprise and the rebuilding of a local industrial base behind protective tariff walls.
We need to stop the flood of cheap imports which is killing Irish industry and also the flood of cheap labour from abroad which deprives the host countries of a skilled workforce and the chance to make any real improvement in their own national economies.
We fell for the Euro-Hook,Line and Sinker and we're paying the price for our folly.It's too late to undo all the damage now but if the political will is there we can "Give Ireland back to the Irish" as the song says