It is true that the European Union has brought in some good social legislation, such as the recent rule that temporary workers should be paid at the same rate as full time workers. But we have to look at the bigger picture, and it is not good.
The relentless attacks on public service jobs, overtime and pensions in the Eurozone will only lead to a more and more socially unjust and unbalanced society. If we have no good public service jobs, no overtime and no pensions, then we have a low-wage economy.
Governments in Europe are now trying to build up economies on the back of low wages. Having made great gains in the 1970s, sadly workers are becoming the working poor all over again.
Patrick Confrey
Rathfarnham, Dublin 14
