Congress 10 Point Plan for National Recovery
- Tackle the jobs crisis:
job protection measures are in place in at least eight other EU countries, while a National Recovery Bond could be used to fund new schools, hospitals and public transport - Protect Incomes:
cutting incomes in recession means less people spending and more jobs lost. It makes no sense and could turn a recession into a depression. While a case can be made in current circumstances for wage moderation, it should be understood that competitiveness is affected much more by issues like energy prices, quality of infrastructure and the absence of a functioning banking system. A public policy which prevents the ESB from reducing prices and artificially props up rents via NAMA, while demanding wage cuts, is incoherent to say the least - Stop Social Welfare Cuts:
it is wrong that people on social welfare should carry the cost of top bankers' reckless behaviour and Government mistakes. We must protect the most vulnerable - Protect Peoples' Homes:
some 35,000 homes may soon face repossession due to rising unemployment. Government must show the same 'understanding' for homeowners as they did for top bankers. Repossession makes no social or economic sense - Safeguard Services:
more people come to rely on social services in a recession and imposing cuts now could damage our vital services. Our health service is still suffering from the savage cuts of the 1980s - Tax the rich:
our tax system is unfair and millionaires can legally pay far less tax than working people. It needs to be rebuilt and the wealthy need to pay their share. Where did the tens of billions that were made in the boom go? They didn't lose it all on the stockmarket - Protecting pensions:
many working people face old age poverty because pension schemes have collapsed, while others have no pension coverage. We need a new National Pension System - Workplace Rights:
the recession cannot become an excuse to strip away peoples' rights and Government must act on their commitments in this area. Also, a 'labour clause' in all public contracts would help address unemployment - Reform the Banks:
we must ensure that banks do not scapegoat their employees for the crisis and their structures are reformed to prevent a similar crisis ever happening again - Extend the Recovery Period:
If we extend the Recovery Period to 2017, we can minimise the burden of cuts and prevent the complete collapse of our vital services and our economy
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