a note to Patricia Callan, Director of the Small Firms Association
Patricia Callan, Director of the Small Firms Association said in a press release, Ireland has the second highest National Minimum Wage (NMW) within the EU. The rate of €8.65 per hour is more than twice that of the United States, the largest economy in the world and 19% higher than the UK, our nearest competitor. It is thirteen times that of Bulgaria.
but corruption in Bulgaria makes Irish corruption look tame.
The European Commission is to decide on Wednesday whether to block massive sanctions on Bulgaria for failing to tackle corruption. According to sources in Brussels, the Netherlands, France and Britain have taken the initiative to block hundreds of millions of euros in EU funds.
According to the Euranet programme, the sanctions could top 600 million euros. “When Bulgaria joined the EU last year, doubts arose whether the country would be able to tackle corruption. There have been few signs since then that any concrete steps have been taken.”, says editor Caroline Dijckmeester.
dotBG says “Perhaps the Small Firms Association who do justice to the acronym SFA should bugger off to Bulgaria where there is obviously a euro or two to be made on the exploitation of workers and more via corruption”
September 13th, 2008 at 7:13 am
I note you’ve selectively chosen Bulgaria. What’s your rationale re. the US, UK, France, etc., etc., etc.?
September 13th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Did you write your press release Patricia? Then did you read it? YOU highlighted BULGARIA in your second paragraph last sentence. Then YOU listed it lowest in the table (its rightful position in a list of 12 but there are 25 countries in the EU). Then I link the lowest position country to the corruption in that country which you have chosen not to address in your above comment.
The US dole queue is growing faster than the Irish one. Your point is? Your Press Release (linked in the main post above) repeats twice that it is youth unemployment that you want highlighted, but the rate of minimum wage you quote is the adult qualified rate not the youth minimum wage rate which is significantly lower than the rate you call for. Do I take it that the SFA want a RISE in youth minimum wage rates?
I am available to meet to discuss these issues, email info AT briangreene dot com