The general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions David Begg has said the Government must now choose between what he called 'continued deference to the very wealthy' or genuine support for low to middle income earners and the vulnerable.
Speaking at the launch of ICTU's pre-Budget submission, Mr Begg said new taxes on wealth could generate 'substantial new resources'. He said all the wealth in the country had not evaporated, and it must be pursued and taxed.
Mr Begg said ICTU's figures showed that as much as €2.3 billion could be raised in 2010 and more in the years ahead. He said this could come from a new top tax rate for high earners, a new rate of minimum tax for the wealthy, pursuing tax exiles and raising capital gains tax.
Mr Begg also said that Budget 2010 would have to make job creation and protection a centrepiece. ICTU has proposed a National Recovery Bond to help the construction sector and build infrastructure.
ICTU also wants people in difficulty with mortgage repayments to have recourse to a 'NAMA-style' scheme. 'It is not good enough to bail out banks and ignore homeowners,' Mr Begg said.
