ISME: 'Ireland cannot afford more benchmarking deals'

Independent business group ISME claims the country cannot afford another benchmarking arrangement in public sector wages.

ISME has describled the benchmarking process as "divisive, expensive and a fundamental insult to those who operate in the private sector and ultimately pay for the pay hikes."

The difference between public and private sector wages is 69%, even taking into account the extra qualifications and work experience of certain public sector workers, according to small businesses group ISME.

A statement from ISME said: "The principle reasons for this discrepancy are the significant 48% wages differential and public sector pensions, which bestow a significant 31% benefit above the private sector equivalent (based on a 36% value for Public sector minus 5% for the Private sector pensions).

"The figures clearly indicate the 'con job' that is benchmarking, which merely aggravates further the marked disparity that already exists between the public and private sectors of our economy."

ISME Chief Executive Mark Fielding said: "Somebody has to stand up to say enough is enough. Unfortunately the representatives of big business are so enmeshed in the process that they have rubber stamped the arrangement that, if continued, will do untold damage to the economy.

"It is up to ISME therefore to highlight the absolute absurd scenario that has been delivered with Benchmarking. In return for a cost to the taxpayer of €1.3bn we have seen absolutely no improvement in public services or industrial peace, in fact if anything the situation has got appreciably worse.”