Wednesday, April 12, 2006
NI has lowest unemployment rate in the World!
Yep, you’ve never had it so good! According to the latest comparative figures, Northern Ireland leads the world in the league for the lowest unemployment rate. It has the lowest ILO measure of unemployment of all countries listed - that includes all EU countries, the US, Canada, and Japan. Reader Howard notes: “I know there are caveats with all data but it’s a pretty striking headline stat for an economy so commonly derided”.
Mick Fealty @ 03:55 PM
None of the multi-nationals that located to the south were from the UK bar 2 I think (last time I checked anyway), the south has one of the largest disposbale incomes in Europe and the North does not hold a flame to to it. Its sad but true unfortunately.
There is no point in comparing one economy to another because they are in different leagues, it is purely down to the dynamics of the Northern economy and its dependency on the civil service and the mentality of workers here.
Posted by on Apr 13, 2006 @ 03:56 PMNorthsider : “None of the multi-nationals that located to the south were from the UK bar 2 I think (last time I checked anyway)”.
With due respect, this is pure unadulterated nonsense. Over 80% of the jobs created in the retail sector are from UK owned companies. Several of the call centres are for UK owned companies.
Posted by on Apr 13, 2006 @ 04:10 PMhttp://archives.tcm.ie/breakingnews/2005/02/24/story190922.asp
“Workers in the North are the most satisfied with their salaries in the UK, despite having the lowest average earnings, a report today claimed.The average wage in Northern Ireland is £17,366 (€25,000) a year, which is 77.5% of the UK national average of £22,411 (€32,400), according to PayFinder.com, which compares salaries and jobs. Yet a survey of 2,700 people by the website found that 40% of Northern Irish respondents were satisfied with their earnings.”
In the Republic:
http://www.unison.ie/features/budget2005/business/stories.php3?ca=369&si=1297130“The average industrial wage last year was €28,000, and the combined industrial and public service average is €33,000.”
This gap can only increase - especially as we have a larger private-sector where wage-growth is faster.
Posted by on Apr 13, 2006 @ 04:52 PMWith the ecomony on the up and up maybe this is the time for Independence to get a mention???
An Independent northern ireland that is. it seems that Independence is a viable option after all???
Posted by on Apr 13, 2006 @ 05:42 PMNo Dave. That isn’t an option under the GFA. And how would it be governed? Nationalists would not accept a return to the Aparteid state of 1922-72.
Posted by on Apr 13, 2006 @ 07:00 PMYou are also too dependent on the state-sector to become an independent state without being part of either a UI or the UK.
Posted by on Apr 13, 2006 @ 07:02 PM“No Dave. That isn’t an option under the GFA. And how would it be governed? Nationalists would not accept a return to the Aparteid state of 1922-72.
Posted by Brian Boru on Apr 13, 2006 @ 08:00 PM”
Plan (B) wasn’t part of the GFA either was it Brian.
When governments start moving the goal posts then all options are on the table.
Ten years of IRA/SF not bombing the hell out of people of northern Ireland has shown that Northern Ireland at peace can make it on it’s own terms. What needs to be done now is to remove the possibility of a United Ireland once and for all time. Independence would do just that.
Posted by on Apr 13, 2006 @ 07:44 PMBrian
I cant but help feel that your posts on this matter are a little on the ‘side swipe’ side and more to do with your wishing that NI was an economic basket case so as to support your position for an united separatist Ireland.
It reminds me of what I used to hear 20 to 30 years ago about the impoverished Free State.
I have always felt, and emphasise to my children, that wishing someone else’s misfortune to advance your own position was not a honourable thing to do.
Lets look at NI public sector - you portray it as some kind of Cold War Eastern European country with countless bureaucrats doing meaningless tasks.
The fact is that NI is a very small region and once you include a British standard of Education, Health, Fire Service and criminal justice system you are going to immediately take up a huge %.
Infact that is why immigration to NI is booming - expanding companies cannot find the workers - many of whom are carrying out essential public services.
That we are over governed and over quangoed - nobody is disputing - trimming that is well under way.
That we have a problem with a lack of entrepreunerial spirit - true - and that needs tackled.However those of us who are objective (and who lived through it) realise that we are emerging from 35 years of civil disturbance, political instability and a terrorist campaign who’s sole aim was to destroy the economic stability fo the region - in the same way you gloat over its failings now.
Meanwhile the Celtic Tiger - whose success I applaude and whose continuance I genuinely wish for - is about a 15 to 20 year phenomenon.
I am not convinced lowering corporate taxes to attract multi national jobs is a long term form of security so I hope you do not find reason to stop your crowing when the flat rate of tax reaches Poland with its 25% ROI labour costs.
Meanwhile those of us heavily involved in the NI business community will testify to its current resilience and the opportunity we are all facing - infact if you had money to invest I would strongly recommend you look north as over the next 5 to 10 years it will be a case of ‘watch this space’.
Posted by on Apr 13, 2006 @ 08:00 PM“Plan (B) wasn’t part of the GFA either was it Brian.
When governments start moving the goal posts then all options are on the table.
Ten years of IRA/SF not bombing the hell out of people of northern Ireland has shown that Northern Ireland at peace can make it on it’s own terms. What needs to be done now is to remove the possibility of a United Ireland once and for all time. Independence would do just that.”
On the contrary it would be unwise and would likely have consequences which none of us would like to see. You still haven’t said how it would be governed. Majority-rule would have the same results as before. Be very careful. And anyway, Unionism no longer has the kind of support it had before partition. You won’t be able to create an independent NI - especially West of the Bann.
On Plan B, it can be avoided if Unionists enter govt with SF. Just do it. Societies with a recent history of conflict require special solutions that might not be accepted in more stable countries.
Posted by on Apr 13, 2006 @ 08:21 PMJ.E.B.
“infact if you had money to invest I would strongly recommend you look north as over the next 5 to 10 years it will be a case of ‘watch this space”I think I heard similar talk about 5 to 10 years ago.
Posted by on Apr 13, 2006 @ 09:54 PMIf I could reiterate a few points that J-E-B made.
Many sections of the private sector are buoyant and it is difficult to find staff. We are unquestionably sucking in labour from Eastern Europe by the plane load. The flats that were basically dole drops a decade ago are now occupied by Central European workers, and around our hospitals Indian and African doctors and nurses. There is absolutely no question that this is happening. Paradoxically, if this continues at current rates, this may have greater bearing on the political future of this place in the decades to come than all the vexations of our politicians.
Anyone who suggests that the 30 years of political unrest had no real bearing on the current economic and administrative performance have a perception that is difficult to comprehend. Someone bombs your business and years later you get compensation, bound to have a negative influence. Its obvious isn’t it?
That said there are obvious problems and broadly speaking they fall under four headings.
1 Lack of political direction and common purpose.
2 A Civil Service (or sections of) which has been adrift for over 30 years. Because of 2 above they lack clear direction and purpose and are used to running their own affairs. Need a spring clean but first need an Executive.
3 An environment that is in many ways anti enterprise. It is a combination of factors, from rates and tax to the speed and efficiency of the public sector and includes training delivering efficient services, good transport etc. It is really a question of encouraging people to take risk and encouraging everyone to raise their game. It is not simply a matter of tax. To suggest that 10% Corporation tax and we are all in paradise is perhaps simplistic as all must have improved opportunity and not just a few. We need everyone on board.
4 Training and education. Better education, more University places in sectors that are of strategic value, real apprentice ship schemes etc.
Ireland North and South should not be complacent; the difference between successful economies and basket case is not that great in this unpredictable world. It is unquestionable cheaper to operate businesses in other countries. None of us should crow and we should cooperate to common advantage just as we should with Scotland, Wales and England or anywhere else if it suits.
Instead of looking at our position on the island of Ireland and in the UK economy as a disadvantage we should instead view it as a unique opportunity, which gives us wider opportunities to exploit if we are astute.
Posted by on Apr 13, 2006 @ 11:51 PMFAO Brian:
Brian states: “On the contrary it would be unwise and would likely have consequences which none of us would like to see. You still haven’t said how it would be governed. Majority-rule would have the same results as before. Be very careful. And anyway, Unionism no longer has the kind of support it had before partition. You won’t be able to create an independent NI - especially West of the Bann.”
Who would govern an Independent Northern Ireland Hmmm? The people Brian, the people.
Brian states:” You won’t be able to create an independent NI - especially West of the Bann.”
Hey! Brian Three counties would do for me. If republicans/nationalists won’t go to the republic of Ireland then we will bring the republic of Ireland to them they won’t have anyone to blame but themselves.
There is all to play for. The unionists of Northern Ireland will not countenance any more shoddy deals which will force the people to accept terrorists in government or be forced into a united Ireland. maybe you believe we will just go belly up on these issues.There is an old saying: No Surrender
Posted by on Apr 14, 2006 @ 12:46 AM“There is an old saying: No Surrender”
Said that about Drumcree. :)
What does “the people” mean? Does it mean majority rule? The Brits won’t let it happen anyway.
By the way only 2 counties are majority Unionist.
Posted by on Apr 14, 2006 @ 01:48 AMAn independent NI under majority rule would be a modern-day Rhodesia and would collapse like that did.
Posted by on Apr 14, 2006 @ 01:50 AM“An independent NI under majority rule would be a modern-day Rhodesia and would collapse like that did.
Posted by Brian Boru on Apr 14, 2006 @ 02:50 AM”
I think you will find you are wrong, again, Brian. Or maybe you are telling us that Rhodesia did have majority rule? To my memory Rhodesia’s Unilateral Declaration of Independence was not made to endorse majority rule. Correct me if you think I’m wrong there!
I am certainly not in favour of an independent N.I., as a Unionist I want N.I. to remain within the U.K.. Any person suggesting anything other that the continuation of the Union is NOT a Unionist.
Posted by on Apr 14, 2006 @ 02:05 AMWell it would treat its minority as Rhodesia treated the majority in Rhodesia. We already have seen an example of this from 22-72. Any attempt to create it will I’m sure be resisted and successfully.
Posted by on Apr 14, 2006 @ 02:32 AMBrian Boru
Time moves on and things change 60s civil rights in USA, Rhodesia etc. Its 2006 and even NI has changed!!!!
Posted by on Apr 15, 2006 @ 11:55 AM
