THE PRESS FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1980. Delayed package on wages
The Government has reservations about the proposals put up by the Federation of Labour- and the Employers’ Federation on a wages policy. The fact that these two bodies,' and a Government representative, got together to work out a scheme was a heartening sign that they have recognised the need for a concerted and amicable effort to minimise conflicts over wage negotiations. The fact that the negotiators spent two months on the job on the eve of the annual round of wage talks between unions, and employers gives the adoption of a scheme some urgency. Reservations about the package put forward by the two federations have caused the Government to delay a decision on the proposals. This delay appears to have annoyed the Federation of” Labour in particular. Until the package is publicly known it is not possible to say who is right or who holds the best plan for a wages policy. Probably the best course would be for the proposals to be outlined to the public so that at least some reaction and comment can be taken into account before any specific plan is adopted.
One thing is certain. While it may be impressive that official representatives of a large number of employers and employees have ’come to some agreement on such important matters, it is by no means obvious that the country should be automatically stuck with a plan on which the two bodies happen to agree, They are not the bodies elected or appointed to devise and apply economic policy. They may have considerable power to influence policy and ignoring their views would be politically unwise. They should not, however, be upset because the Government wants to review their plan. Indeed, they would be the first to complain if the. Government accepted instantly and without consultation the recomendations of other officials on wage policies. Time for reflection on proposals as important as these are bound to be is vital. Such reflection must include the thought that more is at stake than the economic welfare of those represented by the two federations.
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Press, 18 July 1980, Page 10
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354THE PRESS FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1980. Delayed package on wages Press, 18 July 1980, Page 10
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