Farmers left in the poor relations’ corner by agreements

FARMERS sat in the poor relations’ section when the social partners met last week to commence talks on the formula for another national agreement.

The average industrial wage has increased by 20% since 2000, and now averages more than €31,000. Bench marking plus wage increases have delivered up to 30% extra in the public sector, with some senior civil servants qualifying for performance bonuses of more than €8,000 each in the past year.

TDs have voted themselves increases of about 80% since 1997, Government Ministers and top civil servants received a raise of €10,000 per annum last week.