Labour Youth have today staged a photo op outside Dáil Eireann launching their Beyond the Bailout Campaign.
Members of Labour Youth, the youth wing of the Labour Party, held posters outside the Dáil listing four key economic priorities 1) introduction of a wealth tax 2) implementation of collective bargaining 3) end zero hour contracts 4) introduce a living wage. Labour Youth will be lobbying and campaigning for the Labour Party to implement these policies in the lifetime of this coalition government.
Labour Youth National Chairperson, Ciarán Garrett, said: “The Troika leaving Ireland presents the coalition with more flexibility on economic policy. Labour Youth thinks post-bailout Ireland should be about Labour’s policies to foster social renewal, and not more of Fine Gael’s demands for further cuts and regressive taxation. Austerity has had a hugely damaging effect on our society.”
“The Beyond the Bailout campaign outlines a path for building a socially just economy and society. The Nevin Economic Research Institute has reported that a very small wealth tax of 0.6% on net wealth above €1m would yield €150m for the exchequer. A fair and progressive measure like this would certainly help prevent further regressive cuts. A Living Wage would bring many workers out of poverty wages and it would also stimulate much needed demand in our economy. Implementing collective bargaining and ending zero hour contracts would improve working conditions for every worker in the country”.
“As the Troika leaves Ireland on Sunday, this too must signal the departure of austerity. The poorest and most vulnerable in our society, who had no act or part in creating the economic crisis, have suffered significantly from austerity. Families right across the country are struggling to get by with the rising cost of living. Beyond the bailout must about Labour policies can help create a socially just economy and society”
-ENDS-
For more information contact
Ciarán Garrett
National Chairperson, Labour Youth
085 744 3043
lychair@labour.ie
