Sir, - I completely agree with Cliff Taylor's comment on September 20th: "It is all very well to promote the industries of tomorrow, but policy makers must try to hold on to the jobs in other sectors for as long as possible." He accurately pinpoints the increasing threat from low cost countries such as the Far East and Eastern Europe.
Many of those countries have lower costs because employees are paid badly. Manufacturers within the European Union must respond to low wage competitors by offering better quality, better service, and through better productivity.
There is a second reason why businesses located in those countries have lower costs. They are not subject to the same laws as Irish companies in relation to health and safety in the workplace, environmental conditions, and even hours of work. Most of this legislation is highly desirable, but it does have a cost.
If we are to maintain manufacturing industry within the European Union, there should be import duties on products coming from those countries who do not have the same obligations imposed on them by law. Anything less is not fair trade. Yours, etc.,
Chief executive,
Basta Hardware Ltd.,
Harlech Grove,
Clonskeagh,
Dublin 14.