The Irish Times has a feature on what is referred to as the Living Wage (link), the income level which people are deemed to need in order to sustain themselves.
The Labour Party are of the opinion that employers should pay this wage level.
I am of the opinion that if the state deems this desirable then the state should ensure that people have the necessary income levels. That can be achieved through welfare and/or tax credits. Once employers pay their required levels of taxes then they are fulfilling their financial social responsibility. They should not be required to pay their employees a wage which is greater than the economic value of their labour.
In short the state should not burden employers with the responsibility to fulfil a financial social policy. The state should fulfil it. If that requires more taxes then increase taxation but be honest about it.
The Labour Party are of the opinion that employers should pay this wage level.
I am of the opinion that if the state deems this desirable then the state should ensure that people have the necessary income levels. That can be achieved through welfare and/or tax credits. Once employers pay their required levels of taxes then they are fulfilling their financial social responsibility. They should not be required to pay their employees a wage which is greater than the economic value of their labour.
In short the state should not burden employers with the responsibility to fulfil a financial social policy. The state should fulfil it. If that requires more taxes then increase taxation but be honest about it.