Employers opt for a ‘race to the bottom’

IT was very heartening to see (Irish Examiner, July 15) that David Begg of ICTU has joined economic commentators like Garret FitzGerald and Moore McDowell in questioning the ‘mantra’ of maximisation of growth as opposed to optimisation of growth.

Sustainable growth is a sine qua non to avoid housing pressures, greater commuting nightmares, etc.

Maximisation of growth depends on high levels of immigration and there is already strong anecdotal evidence of a major preference among employers for foreign labour and a ‘race to the bottom.’ It is standard of living, not overall GDP, that matters.

It has been estimated that immigration in the UK has contributed 14 pence per week to income, which must be offset against all sorts of social costs. Avoiding the ‘race to the bottom’ serves all workers, indigenous and foreign.

Áine Ní Chonaill

PRO

Immigration Control Platform

PO BOX 6469

Dublin 2