Social partnership - Signs deal is going out-of-date

As employers and unions finally accept the social partnership agreement Towards 2016, there are worrying signs it is already going out-of-date because of Ireland’s worrying inflation trend.

As the cost of electricity, petrol, home heating oil and other essential commodities continue to rise, the value of 10% pay rises over 27 months is already being eroded.

Nationally, the importance of this deal is its capacity to deliver stable economic development, industrial peace and combat exploitation of workers.