Industrial peace at a price

Monday, Feb 25, 2013, will be remembered as a sad day for economic Ireland.

Industrial peace may be secured for a number of years which is welcome, but the Croke Park negotiations are the most definite indicator yet that neither Government, politicians, economists, advisors nor union officials understand what causes economic chaos in the 21st century.

The age we now live in is defined by technology. The world can produce goods and services to a level never before imagined possible even in relatively recent times. The level of longevity, health, freedom from pain, sustenance, housing, comfort, choice, communications, entertainment, travel and abundance of everything that should make living and lifestyle light years better than anything ever experienced before is undeniable. Such a level of affluence is entirely attributable to the extraordinary advance of technology since the introduction of computerisation. Yet there is apparently no understanding of the implications of such technological advance or how it has transformed economic activity to its very core.

Growth, which is increasing production and the hoped-for panacea to cure all ills, is no longer possible, except in niche areas in a world that already produces too much. The future must adapt to economic growth at much lower levels than experienced heretofore. This alone would have an adverse effect on employment prospects, but add in the reality that 21st century production is achieved with an ever-reducing requirement for human labour and the most immediate problem of society is put in perspective.

The Government must realise that work is diminishing at a very substantial and accelerating pace. The inclusion of a stipulation in Croke Park 2 that more hours must be worked flies directly in the face of employment reality and only ensures that a greater section of our population will forever be denied the privilege and dignity of secure employment.

The great challenge of the future is to provide more jobs from less work in the relatively work-free world that technology is creating. The other great reality that establishments must recognise is that more employment will have to be generated by public service while everything the world needs or desires of both goods and services will be supplied by improving technology with reducing levels of human input.

The immediate hue and cry will be about reduced income.

Padraic Neary

Tubbercurry

Co Sligo