Small firms 'ambivalent' on social partnership
ISME has called for 'fresh approach' to Social Partnership by expanding the structure to include front bench spokespersons, together with representatives of the ESRI, Central Bank and Small Business.
"An ISME survey has confirmed that the Social Partnership process needs to be urgently reviewed in order to make it acceptable to the vast majority of businesses in Ireland," said ISME's Mark Fielding.
The survey which was undertaken at the beginning of April, highlighted that only 38% of small businesses indicated that Social Partnership had been beneficial to their businesses.
Some 24% confirmed it had not been beneficial and 38% had no opinion, indicating that 62% of respondents are at best ambivalent about the process.
"If one considers that SMEs make up over 98% of all businesses in the Country it is obvious that there is widespread dissatisfaction with the process," said Mr Fielding.
"The Social Partnership structure undoubtedly contributed to the turn around in the Irish economy in the past. Its contribution however should not be overstated.
"The process has been, to date, the sole preserve of big business, the public sector unions and the Government and as such has not been representative of 98% of businesses in Ireland, the entrepreneur driven Small and Medium sector.
"This has been partly due to the refusal of the SME sector to accept second-class status but is mainly due to the refusal of various Governments to allow ISME’s entry into the negotiating process.," he added.
