ISME 2009 Press Releases

Wednesday 23rd December 2009
ISME URGES CONSUMERS TO “BUY QUALITY IRISH GOODS & SAVE IRISH JOBS” THIS CHRISTMAS


Tuesday 22nd December 2009
PUBLICATION OF ISME’s FOURTH QUARTERLY BUSINESS TRENDS SURVEY WINTER 2009


Tuesday 22nd December 2009
INDEPENDENT REPORT CONFIRMS DETERIORATION OF BANK CREDIT TO SMEs


Monday 21st December 2009
ISME CREDIT WATCH WINTER ‘09:SMALL BUSINESS CRUCIFIED BY LATE PAYMENTS


Wednesday 16th December 2009
EMPLOYMENT MEASURES BADLY NEEDED TO ASSIST BUSINESS IN SUPPORTING JOBS


Wednesday 9th December 2009
BRUISING BUDGET FAILS TO SUPPORT ENTERPRISE


Friday 4th December 2009
TANAISTE SIGNS DEATH WARRANT FOR MICRO BUSINESS


Thursday 3rd December 2009
SMALL BUSINESS THREATENS TO WITHOLD TAXES IN RESPONSE TO GOVERNMENT ‘CAPITULATION’


Wednesday 2nd December 2009
UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES HIGHLIGHT ‘BEGGAR THY NEIGHBOUR’ ATTITUDE OF PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS


Tuesday 1st December 2009
73,000 REDUNDANCIES A STARK CONTRAST TO PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS’ SELFISH STANCE


Monday 23rd November 2009
'NONSENSICAL' PUBLIC SECTOR STRIKE A MAJOR THREAT TO ECONOMY


Friday 13th November 2009
ADDRESS BY ISME CHAIRMAN, EILIS QUINLAN, AT THE ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE, FRIDAY 13th NOVEMBER 2009


Tuesday 10th November 2009
INFLATION


Tuesday 10th November 2009
ISME WELCOMES EXTENSION OF EMPLOYMENT SUBSIDY SCHEME


Thursday 12th November 2009
‘THINK IRISH AND BUY IRISH’ THIS CHRISTMAS


Thursday, 5th November 2009
BLACK ECONOMY ACTIVITIES THREATENING LEGITIMATE BUSINESSES


Wednesday 4th November 2009
LIVE REGISTER FIGURES ‘MASK’ EXTENT OF UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM


Tuesday 3rd November 2009
REDUNDANCIES CONTINUE UNABATED


Monday, 2nd November 2009
ISME BANK WATCH SURVEY:NAMA LEGISLATION REQUIRED TO FORCE BANK TO LEND TO SME BUSINESSES


Friday, 30th October 2009
ISME CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO 'FACE DOWN' TRADE UNIONS


Tuesday, 27th October 2009
EMPLOYMENT SUBSIDY SCHEME NOT WORKING


Friday, 23rd October 2009
AIB WAGE INCREASE A DISGRACE


Tuesday, 20th October 2009
ISME BUDGET 2010 SUBMISSION
DEVELOPING A STRATEGY FOR GROWTH


Thursday 8th October 2009
INFLATION


Wednesday 7th October 2009
PUBLICATION OF ISME's THIRD QUARTERLY BUSINESS TRENDS SURVEY AUTUMN 2009


Monday 5th October 2009
ISME CREDIT WATCH AUTUMN 2009-LATE PAYMENTS DESTROYING SME SECTOR


Friday 2nd October 2009
NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT STRATEGY TO TACKLE JOBS CRISIS 'PARAMOUNT'


Monday 28th September 2009
ISME PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE CUTS NECESSARY TO AVOID NATIONAL BANKRUPTCY


Tuesday 22nd September 2009
ISME CALLS FOR BUSINESS SUPPORTS TO OFFSET CHRONIC UNEMPLOYMENT


Thursday 10th September 2009
INFLATION


Thursday 3rd September 2009
ISME SUPPORTS ‘YES’ VOTE ON LISBON


Wednesday 2nd September 2009
ISME CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION TO TACKLE UNPRECEDENTED JOB LOSSES


Thursday 13th August 2009
INFLATION


Wednesday 12th August 2009
ISME CALLS FOR INCREASED EMPHASIS ON ENTREPRENEURIAL STUDIES AT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LEVELS


Tuesday 11th August 2009
ISME WELCOMES PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON GROCERY SECTOR CODE OF PRACTICE


Friday 7th August 2009
‘HORRENDOUS’ LIVE REGISTER FIGURES CONFIRM NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE ‘NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT PLAN’


Thursday 6th August 2009
ISME DISAPPOINTED WITH SLIGHT REDUCTION IN ELECTRICITY PRICES


Thursday 6th August 2009
ISME GIVES ‘GUARDED’ WELCOME TO EMPLOYMENT SUBSIDY SCHEME


Wednesday 5th August 2009
ISME CALLS FOR NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT TASK FORCE TO STOP JOBS HAEMORRHAGE


Friday 31st July 2009
71% OF SMEs TARGETED BY SCAMS IN LAST 12 MONTHS


Wednesday 29th July 2009
SMALL BUSINESS CONTINUES TO IMPLEMENT PAY CUTS AND STAFF REDUCTIONS IN FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL


Tuesday 21st July 2009
SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES HIT WITH €1.5 BILLION CRIME COST ANNUALLY


Thursday 16TH July 2009
ISME WELCOMES PUBLICATION OF AN BORD SNIP REPORT


Friday, 10th July 2009
ISME RESPONSE TO MAZAARS REPORT: BANKS ADMIT TO NOT KNOWING HOW MANY LOAN ENQUIRIES MADE BY SMES


Thursday 9th July 2009
INFLATION


Tuesday 7th July 2009
ISME LASHES ICTU STANCE ON ELECTRICIANS’ STRIKE


Wednesday 1st July 2009
‘JOBS CARNAGE’ CONFIRMED BY REDUNDANCY FIGURES


Wednesday 1st July 2009
WHY ARE WE WAITING?


Tuesday 30th June 2009
BANKS DECEIT EXPOSED BY NEW SURVEY


Monday 29th June 2009
ISME DEMANDS FULL PUBLICATION OF ‘AN BORD SNIP’ REPORT


Thursday 25th June 2009
‘BLEAK’ UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES CONFIRM NEED FOR URGENT ACTION


Tuesday 23rd June 2009.
ISME’s SECOND QUARTERLY BUSINESS TRENDS SURVEY SUMMER 2009


Friday 19th June 2009.
ISME CREDIT WATCH SUMMER ‘09 SMALL BUSINESS BEING DESTROYED BY LATE PAYMENTS


Thursday 11th June 2009.
IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION OF ‘AN BORD SNIP’ REPORT REQUIRED TO ADDRESS PUBLIC SECTOR INFLATION


Friday 5th June 2009.
“APPALLING” LIVE REGISTER FIGURES CONFIRM WORST FEARS


Tuesday 2nd June 2009.
INCREASING REDUNDANCIES CONFIRM JOBS ‘CATASTROPHE’


Friday 29th JMay 2009.
SME JOBS SURVEY CONFIRMS 70,000 SME JOBS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER


Wednesday 27th May 2009.
STATE AGENCIES BLACKMAILING IRISH BUSINESSES OVER GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS


Tuesday 26th May 2009.
ISME DEMANDS TAX OFFSET AGAINST OVERDUE REDUNDANCY REBATES


Friday 22nd May 2009.
ISME CALLS TO REPLACE ‘MORIBUND’ SOCIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH
NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE FORUM


Friday 15th May 2009
ISME ELECTS NEW CHAIRMAN


Thursday 14th May 2009.
SHARP REDUCTION IN INFLATION STILL NOT REFLECTED IN COSTS TO BUSINESS


Wednesday 13TH May 2009
ISME BANK WATCH SURVEY:BANKS NOT ‘OPEN FOR BUSINESS’


Thursday 7th May 2009
ISME CALLS FOR GOVERNMENT ACTION FORCING BANKS TO PASS ON INTEREST RATE REDUCTIONS


Tuesday 5th May 2009.
REPLACE SOCIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE FORUM


Friday 1st May 2009.
‘MAYDAY’ REDUNDANCY FIGURES CONFIRM NEED FOR EMPLOYMENT ACTION PLAN


Friday 1st May 2009.
ISME WELCOMES REDUCTION IN ENERGY COSTS


Wednesday 29th April 2009.
‘ATROCIOUS’ LIVE REGISTER FIGURES DEMAND URGENT GOVERNMENT ACTION


Friday 24th April 2009.
GOVERNMENT RENEGING ON TRAINING COMMITMENT


Tuesday 21st April 2009
ISME CREDIT WATCH SPRING ‘09: LATE PAYMENTS STRANGLING SMALL BUSINESS



Friday 17th April 2009
ISME CALLS FOR INQUIRY INTO NATIONAL TRAINING FUND


Wednesday 15th April 2009
PUBLICATION OF ISME’s FIRST QUARTERLY BUSINESS TRENDS SURVEY SPRING 2009


Thursday 9th April 2009
LOWER INFLATION NEEDS TO BE REFLECTED IN COSTS TO BUSINESS


Tuesday 7th April 2009
SAVAGE BUDGET A MISSED OPPORTUNITY


Friday 3rd April 2009
PUBLIC SECTOR FARCE CONTINUES AS DOLE QUEUES INCREASE


Thursday 2nd April 2009
ISME WARNS BANKS TO IMMEDIATELY PASS ON INTEREST RATE REDUCTIONS


Wednesday 1st April 2009
350 REDUNDANCIES A DAY BEING REPORTED


Wednesday 1st April 2009
EMPLOYMENT ACTION PLAN CRITICAL TO AVERT LABOUR MARKET ‘DISASTER’


Monday 30th March 2009
9 OUT OF 10 FIRMS HAVE INTRODUCED PAY REDUCTIONS / FREEZE IN LAST SIX MONTHS


Wednesday 25th March 2009
ISME WELCOMES EIB FUNDING FOR SMEs


Wednesday 25th March 2009
ISME CALLS FOR STIMULUS PACKAGE FOR SMEs IN SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET


Friday 13th March 2009
JOBS AT RISK DUE TO DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE DELAYS


Thursday 12th March 2009
NEGATIVE INFLATION SHOULD LEAD TO CUTS IN COST TO BUSINESS


Thursday 5th March 2009
ISME WARNS BANKS TO IMMEDIATELY PASS ON INTEREST RATE REDUCTIONS


Friday, 27th February 2009
LACK OF GOVERNMENT PLAN CONTRIBUTING TO ‘DISASTROUS’ UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES


Thursday 19th February 2009
ISME CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO GUARANTEE SME BUSINESS LOANS


Tuesday 17th February 2009
ISME CONDEMNS NBRU OVER PROPOSED BUS STRIKES


Thursday 12th February 2009
INFLATION


Wednesday 11th February 2009
ISME REITERATES CALL FOR FINANCIAL REGULATOR BOARD TO BE SACKED


Wednesday 4th February 2009
ISME CALLS FOR GOVERNMENT PLAN TO ADDRESS ‘RAMPANT’ UNEMPLOYMENT


Tuesday 3rd February 2009
ISME CASTIGATES LOCAL AUTHORITIES FOR TRAFFIC CHAOS


Monday 2nd February 2009
‘SHOCKING’ REDUNDANCY FIGURES DEMAND ACTION NOT TALKS


Thursday January 29th 2009
ABSENTEEISM COSTING SMALL BUSINESS €1BILLION ANNUALLY


Friday 23rd January 2009
ISME DEMANDS CUT IN PUBLIC SECTOR PAY & NUMBERS


Thursday January 22nd 2009
ISME CALLS ON LABOUR COURT TO REFUSE DEMAND FOR MINIMUM WAGE HIKE


Monday 19th January 2009
ISME CALLS FOR EMERGENCY LEGISLATION TO ALLOW FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PAY CUTS


Sunday 18th January 2009
BANK ‘GOUGING’ CONTINUES AS INTEREST RATES FALL


Thursday January 15th 2009
ISME WARNS BANKS TO PASS ON LATEST INTEREST RATE REDUCTION IMMEDIATELY


Thursday January 15th 2009
DROP IN INFLATION WELCOME BUT COST CONCERNS STILL REMAIN


Sunday 11th January 2009
ISME CALLS FOR FINANCIAL REGULATOR BOARD TO BE SACKED


Friday 9th January 2009
GOVERNMENT INACTION CONFIRMED BY ‘CATASTROPHIC’ LIVE REGISTER FIGURES


Thursday 8th January 2009
DELL ANNOUNCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS LACK OF GOVERNMENT ACTION ON JOBS


Monday 5th January 2009
LABOUR MARKET ‘IN CRISIS’ AS REDUNDANCIES REACH 800 A WEEK

Monday 5th January 2009
ISME SLAMS GOVERNMENT DITHERING AS ECONOMY FACES ‘WIPEOUT’


Tuesday 22nd December 2009

ISME URGES CONSUMERS TO “BUY QUALITY IRISH GOODS & SAVE IRISH JOBS” THIS CHRISTMAS

• Final call to shoppers to buy the Irish alternative.
• Buying Irish will help secure jobs and provide a boost to Irish manufacturers after a difficult year.
• Shopping locally will provide a major stimulus to local firms and local economies.

Download Full Press Release


Tuesday 22nd December 2009

INDEPENDENT REPORT CONFIRMS DETERIORATION OF BANK CREDIT TO SMEs

• Report vindicates ISME stance on bank treatment of SME clients.
• Small business suffers, as banks continue to withhold credit.
• Government action urgently required.

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Tuesday 22nd December 2009

PUBLICATION OF ISME’s FOURTH QUARTERLY BUSINESS TRENDS SURVEY WINTER 2009

• SME business confidence shows significant increase in latest quarter.
• Confidence levels only marginally reflected in business trends.
• While SMEs continue to shed jobs the rate of decline eases slightly.
• Two-thirds of company owners concerned at viability of their business.
• 74% of respondents view the current business environment as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’.
• Level of sales remains a concern as 79% of companies report a drop in turnover.
• Government action urgently required to kick-start economy.

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Monday 21st December 2009

ISME CREDIT WATCH WINTER ‘09:SMALL BUSINESS CRUCIFIED BY LATE PAYMENTS

• Abuse of payments means Small Business waiting 50% longer than prior to legislation (average of 75 days: 50 days in 2002).
• Prompt Payment legislation a sham as Government turns ‘Blind Eye’
• Legislation ‘aids and abets’ Big business and State sector who deliberately delay payments to smaller enterprises
• Almost half of companies (48%) experiencing payment delays of over three months, the highest on record.

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Wednesday 16th December 2009

EMPLOYMENT MEASURES BADLY NEEDED TO ASSIST BUSINESS IN SUPPORTING JOBS

• Government needs to focus on stopping rot of job losses
• Small businesses and their employees abandoned by ‘out of touch’ Government
• Comprehensive employment strategy immediately required.

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Wednesday 9th December 2009

BRUISING BUDGET FAILS TO SUPPORT ENTERPRISE

• Few measures introduced to assist hard pressed businesses.
• ‘Lost opportunity’ to address business concerns.
• No sign of badly needed stimulus package
• Cuts in current expenditure a welcome development.

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Friday 4th December 2009

TANAISTE SIGNS DEATH WARRANT FOR MICRO BUSINESS

• Employment Subsidy Scheme ignores the plight of struggling sector.
• Overdue National Entrepreneurship Strategy must be a priority.

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Thursday 3rd December 2009

SMALL BUSINESS THREATENS TO WITHOLD TAXES IN RESPONSE TO GOVERNMENT ‘CAPITULATION’

• Small business at ‘boiling point’
• Weak kneed and lily- livered Government ‘surrenders’ again to Public Sector.

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Wednesday 2nd December 2009

UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES HIGHLIGHT ‘BEGGAR THY NEIGHBOUR’ ATTITUDE OF PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS

• 53% increase in the last 12 months
• Still no sign of Employment Subsidy Scheme.
• Threat of long term unemployment a major concern

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Tuesday 1st December 2009

73,000 REDUNDANCIES A STARK CONTRAST TO
PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS’ SELFISH STANCE

• 315 redundancies a day announced, as Private Sector continues to bear the brunt of recession.
• 96% increase on same period last year.
• Budget provides opportunity to address jobs crisis.

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Monday 23rd November 2009

'NONSENSICAL' PUBLIC SECTOR STRIKE A MAJOR THREAT TO ECONOMY

• Trade Unions outrageous stance to cause further damage to struggling economy and international reputation.
• Public sectors selfish demands need to be resisted at all costs.

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Friday 13th November 2009

ADDRESS BY ISME CHAIRMAN, EILIS QUINLAN, AT THE ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE, FRIDAY 13th NOVEMBER 2009

• ISME Chief calls for abolition of Social Partnership.
• Paralysis of Government hindering economy and contributing to economic woes
• Public sector cuts non-negotiable.
• SMEs should be at the centre of decision making process
• National Representation Forum required to drive recovery.

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Thursday 12th November 2009

INFLATION

• SME competitiveness still undermined by increasing public sector costs

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Tuesday 10th November 2009

ISME WELCOMES EXTENSION OF EMPLOYMENT SUBSIDY SCHEME

• Scheme should be extended to domestic micro enterprises.
• New application process must be simplified

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Monday 9th November 2009

‘THINK IRISH AND BUY IRISH’ THIS CHRISTMAS

• €90m to be spent daily between now and Christmas.
• With retail sales down, shopping locally will provide a major stimulus to local enterprises and local economies
• • Every €10 spent locally generates a further €24 benefit to the local economy
• • Buying Irish will help to secure jobs in a difficult time for Irish manufacturers, producers and retailers

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Thursday, 5th November 2009

BLACK ECONOMY ACTIVITIES THREATENING LEGITIMATE BUSINESSES

• €461m per week being lost to the black economy.
• €4.8billion lost annually in tax revenue.
• Economic downturn leading to dramatic increase in black economy activity.
• Increase in ‘nixer’ culture a serious concern.
• ISME calls for Government action to tackle the illegal activities of rogue operators, racketeers and criminals operating in the black economy.

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Wednesday 4th November 2009

LIVE REGISTER FIGURES ‘MASK’ EXTENT OF UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM

• Redundancy figures confirm the true position of labour market.
• Complacent Government needs wake-up call on labour market crisis.
• 39% of SMEs expect to let people go over the next 12 months.
• National Employment Strategy Urgently Required.

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Tuesday 3rd November 2009

REDUNDANCIES CONTINUE UNABATED

• 317 redundancies a day, as employment situation continues to deteriorate.
• 110% increase on same period last year.
• Jobs maintenance must be Government priority.
• Public expenditure reduction critical to survival.

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Tuesday 29th September 2009

ISME WELCOMES GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES ON SMALL ENTERPRISE SUPPORTS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

• Announcement a ‘small step in the right direction’.
• Initiatives need to be introduced without delay.

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[bMonday 28th September 2009

PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE CUTS NECESSARY TO AVOID NATIONAL BANKRUPTCY

• Tough Government stance required to address out of control public sector costs..
• ISME calls for immediate implementation of McCarthy recommendations

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Tuesday 22nd September 2009

ISME CALLS FOR BUSINESS SUPPORTS TO OFFSET CHRONIC UNEMPLOYMENT

• 550 jobs a day lost.
• Government focus on employment maintenance crucial.
• Comprehensive employment strategy immediately required.

Download Full Press Release


Thursday 10th September 2009

INFLATION

• Negative inflation provides opportunity to cut public sector pay.
• The increasing cost of running the public sector continues to undermine competitiveness.

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Thursday 3rd September 2009

ISME SUPPORTS ‘YES’ VOTE ON LISBON

• Yes vote essential to maintain ‘international reputation’.
• Small business interests best served by Treaty ratification.

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Wednesday 2nd September 2009

ISME CALLS FOR NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT STRATEGY TO TACKLE JOBS CRISIS

• Wednesday 2nd September 2009.
• 82% increase on live register
• 327 redundancies announced daily since start of year
• Government must treat jobs crisis as “priority number one”.

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Thursday 13th August 2009

‘INFLATION

• Price differentials between private and public sector confirm existence of ‘parallel universe’.
• SME competitiveness continues to be undermined by public sector costs.

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Wednesday 12th August 2009

‘ISME CALLS FOR INCREASED EMPHASIS ON ENTREPRENEURIAL STUDIES AT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LEVELS

• Enterprise ignored in current education system.
• The Irish education system continues to lag well behind other countries when it comes to entrepreneurial studies.
• Overhaul of education system required to include entrepreneurial studies starting at primary school level.

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Tuesday 11th August 2009

‘ISME WELCOMES PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON GROCERY SECTOR CODE OF PRACTICE

• Consultation should expose major retailers ’bully boy’ tactics.
• Small local suppliers too fearful to expose the incidence of ‘hello money’.
• Statutory code required to provide level playing field for local suppliers.

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Friday 7th August 2009

‘HORRENDOUS’ LIVE REGISTER FIGURES CONFIRM NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE ‘NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT PLAN’

• 88% increase in the last 12 months.
• Threat of long term unemployment a major concern
• ‘Dire consequences’ unless coordinated approach on unemployment is implemented

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Thursday 6th August 2009

ISME DISAPPOINTED WITH SLIGHT REDUCTION IN ELECTRICITY PRICES

• Further cuts urgently required.

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Thursday 6th August 2009

ISME GIVES ‘GUARDED’ WELCOME TO EMPLOYMENT SUBSIDY SCHEME

• Scheme should be part of overall employment policy, including cuts in Employers PRSI.

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Wednesday 5th August 2009

ISME CALLS FOR NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT TASK FORCE TO STOP JOBS HAEMORRHAGE

• ‘Dismal’ redundancy figures show no sign of abating
• 331 redundancies a day announced, as employment situation deteriorates.
• 142% increase on same period last year.
• Job retention and creation must be Government priority.

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Friday 31st July 2009

71% OF SMEs TARGETED BY SCAMS IN LAST 12 MONTHS

• ISME survey confirms millions of Euro at risk due to increase in Business Scams and Fraud.
• Overseas offers, International Business Directories, bogus tax rebates and phishing particularly problematic.
• Small companies must be extremely vigilant, particularly during holiday season.


• ISME calls for the establishment of a National E-Crime Prevention Unit.

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Wednesday 29th July 2009

SMALL BUSINESS CONTINUES TO IMPLEMENT PAY CUTS AND STAFF REDUCTIONS IN FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL

• 94% of SMEs have introduced pay cuts / freeze since the start of the year.
• 45% have introduced a pay cut, with 49% implementing pay freezes.
• Average pay cut 13%.
• A quarter of companies planning further redundancies in the next 3 months.
• 50% of companies have reduced their working hours.
• Cost of Public sector must be reined in.
• Private sector employment maintenance programmes urgently required.

Download Full Press Release


Tuesday 21st July 2009

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES HIT WITH
€1.5 BILLION CRIME COST ANNUALLY

• 33% of companies affected by crime in the last 12 months.
• Incidence of Crime reduced, while cost increased.
• ‘Burglary, ‘Attempted burglary’ and ‘Theft by outsiders’ the most common crimes.
• Increase in businesses reporting crime.
• Judiciary seen as “letting down” small business in relation to sentencing.
• 80% of respondents identified crime as being a problem in their locality.
• Only 7% of business owners confident that criminals will be apprehended.
• ISME calls on Judiciary to ensure stronger mandatory sentences for perpetrators of Business Related Crime.

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Thursday 16TH July 2009

ISME WELCOMES PUBLICATION OF AN BORD SNIP REPORT

• Report an opportunity to drive real Public Sector reform.
• Publication allows for informed debate.
• Swift action on recommendations required to address dire Public Finances.
• Onus now on Government to implement a comprehensive strategy to include recommended cutbacks, taxation and a stimulus package.

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Friday, 10th July 2009

ISME RESPONSE TO MAZAARS REPORT: BANKS ADMIT TO NOT KNOWING HOW MANY LOAN ENQUIRIES MADE BY SMES

• Significant disparity between Banks and SMEs on lending policies and level of lending will continue until banks forced to change systems.
• Consultants unable to secure any meaningful analysis of credit enquiries.
• More cautious approach by banks to SME lending point to the need for “risk sharing” structures.
• ISME calls for the immediate introduction of Government Loan Guarantee scheme for SMEs.

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Thursday 9th July 2009

INFLATION

• The two tier inflation figures expose the high cost of running the public sector.
• Immediate implementation of An Bord Snip recommendations required to address public sector costs.

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Tuesday 7th July 2009

ISME LASHES ICTU STANCE ON ELECTRICIANS’ STRIKE

• Unions sabotaging the economy.
• Lack of real Union leadership evident.
• ISME calls for immediate re-establishment of talks.

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Wednesday 1st July 2009.

‘JOBS CARNAGE’ CONFIRMED BY REDUNDANCY FIGURES

• 347 redundancies a day announced, as employment situation deteriorates.
• 161% increase on same period last year.
• Delays in unemployment payments and Redundancy Rebates causing undue hardship to both employee and employer.
• Job retention and creation must be Government priority.

Download full Press Release


Wednesday 1st July 2009.

WHY ARE WE WAITING?

• Economy on the brink of collapse as Government procrastinates.
• Proposed old fashioned job rescue packages show lack of ideas at Partnership.
• National Representative Forum required to instigate Economic Recovery Plan.

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Tuesday 30th June 2009.

BANKS DECEIT EXPOSED BY NEW SURVEY

• Irish Banks ignoring European Investment Bank (EIB) funds for SMEs.
• Two thirds of bank staff admit to ‘no knowledge’ of EIB funding.
• 74% of bankers ignorant of SME Lending Code, in breach of law.
• Rescued banks snub Government once again.

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Monday 29th June 2009.

ISME DEMANDS FULL PUBLICATION OF ‘AN BORD SNIP’ REPORT

• Latest CSO figures confirm public sector pay 25% higher than average private sector pay and 48% ahead of average industrial wage.
• Increase in Public sector employment as private sector suffers record job losses.
• Public has a right to see full details of An Bord Snip report.

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Thursday 25th June 2009.

‘BLEAK’ UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES CONFIRM NEED FOR URGENT ACTION

• No let up as rate of unemployment doubles in year.
• SMEs reporting an upsurge in redundancies.
• Government’s ‘blinkered approach’ contributing to problem.
• National Employment Action Plan now a priority

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Tuesday 23rd June 2009.

ISME’s SECOND QUARTERLY BUSINESS TRENDS SURVEY SUMMER 2009

Two thirds of companies (66%) under threat.

62% of SMEs reduce employment, as job prospects remain ‘bleak’.

74% view the current business environment as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’.

77% report fall in sales.

Significant reductions in profits and revenues anticipated.

Almost half of businesses (47%) blame Government for current crisis.

SME focused initiatives required to rebuild confidence.

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Friday 19th June 2009.

ISME CREDIT WATCH SUMMER ‘09 SMALL BUSINESS BEING DESTROYED BY
LATE PAYMENTS

Deterioration in payments means Small Business waiting 73 days average for payment, the longest period on record.

Prompt Payment legislation a sick joke.

Big business and State sector main culprits in late payments.

Increase in companies experiencing payment delays of over three months to 45%.

Government ‘dereliction of duty’ on prompt payments is killing Small Business

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Thursday 11th June 2009.

IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION OF ‘AN BORD SNIP’ REPORT REQUIRED TO ADDRESS PUBLIC SECTOR INFLATION

• Negative inflation in private sector masking huge cost of public sector.
• Public sector costs must be tackled urgently.

Download Full Press Release


Friday 5th June 2009.

“APPALLING” LIVE REGISTER FIGURES
CONFIRM WORST FEARS

• 94% increase in the last 12 months.
• Economy on the ‘brink’ as Government ‘dithers’.
• Emergency Employment Action plan urgently required.

Download Full Press Release



Tuesday 2nd June 2009.

INCREASING REDUNDANCIES CONFIRM
JOBS ‘CATASTROPHE’

• 350 redundancies a day announced, as situation deteriorates.
• 166% increase on same period last year.
• Job retention must be government priority.

Download Full Press Release


Friday 29th June 2009.

SME JOBS SURVEY CONFIRMS 70,000 SME JOBS
IN IMMEDIATE DANGER

• 35% of SMEs expect 20% redundancies in next three months.
• 96% of SMEs have introduced pay cuts/freeze in last six months.
• 50% have introduced a wage cut, with 46% implementing a wage freeze.
• Pay reductions of 13% average across sector.
• Government action to include Emergency Employment Action Plan required urgently

Download Full Press Release


Wednesday 27th May 2009.

STATE AGENCIES BLACKMAILING IRISH BUSINESSES OVER GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

• The State reneging on contracts with suppliers.
• Companies forced into accepting reduced terms on existing contracts.
• Small businesses supplying to State, under pressure to let staff go.
• ISME calls on Government to honour existing contracts.

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Tuesday 26th May 2009

ISME DEMANDS TAX OFFSET AGAINST OVERDUE
REDUNDANCY REBATES

• Companies facing up to 8 month delays for rebates.
• Deteriorating situation leading to further job losses and company closures.
• ISME calls for rebates to be offset against outstanding tax liabilities.

Download Full Press Release


Friday 22nd May 2009.

ISME CALLS TO REPLACE ‘MORIBUND’ SOCIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE FORUM

• Social Partnership ‘talking shop’ past its sell by date.
• Prolonging ‘failed entity’ prevents social and economic reform.
• National Representative Forum must include relevant bodies such as ESRI, Central Bank, Front-bench Spokespersons and ISME.

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Friday 15th May 2009

ISME ELECTS NEW CHAIRMAN

• Kildare businesswoman, Eilis Quinlan, new ISME Chairman

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Thursday 14th May 2009.

SHARP REDUCTION IN INFLATION STILL NOT REFLECTED IN COSTS TO BUSINESS

• State influenced costs to business need to be dramatically reduced.
• The costs of energy, labour and local charges require urgent review.

Download Full Press Release


Wednesday 13TH May 2009

ISME BANK WATCH SURVEY:BANKS NOT ‘OPEN FOR BUSINESS’

• Bank lending crisis threatens small business viability.
• Over half (58%) of companies refused credit by banks, up on previous survey.
• 83% feel that the banks are making it difficult for SMEs to access credit.
• European Investment Bank loans not being marketed.
• The future of many companies now in the hands of errant bankers.
• ISME calls for urgent Government action, forcing banks to free up badly needed credit

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Thursday 7th May 2009

ISME CALLS FOR GOVERNMENT ACTION FORCING BANKS TO PASS ON INTEREST RATE REDUCTIONS

• SMEs not benefitting from interest rate reductions.
• Some Banks’ profiteering costing business dearly.
• National Irish Bank and Ulster Bank main transgressors.
• Government pressure required to ensure full rate reductions.

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Tuesday 5th May 2009.

REPLACE SOCIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE FORUM

• Inclusion of relevant bodies such as ESRI, Central Bank, Front-bench Spokespersons, ISME and the Diaspora
• Openness and transparency to replace the cosy cronyism of big business - big unions.
• Productivity increase a priority to improve standard of living.
• Irony of Taoiseach’s invitation to Diaspora not lost on Irish SME owner/managers.

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Friday 1st May 2009.

‘MAYDAY’ REDUNDANCY FIGURES CONFIRM NEED FOR EMPLOYMENT ACTION PLAN

• 360 redundancies a day being reported
• 154% increase on same period last year.
• Government inaction as redundancies increase.

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Friday 1st May 2009.

ISME WELCOMES REDUCTION IN ENERGY COSTS

• The reduction represents a long overdue respite to many businesses who have suffered due to exorbitant energy costs.
• Further reductions urgently required as energy costs remain stubbornly high.

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Wednesday 29th April 2009.

‘ATROCIOUS’ LIVE REGISTER FIGURES DEMAND URGENT GOVERNMENT ACTION

• Employment Action Plan must be number one priority.
• Records continue to be broken as employment plummets.
• Reduction in labour costs, increased workplace subsidies and reinstatement of training funding, urgently required.

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Friday 24th April 2009.

GOVERNMENT RENEGING ON TRAINING COMMITMENT

• ISME calls for inquiry into National Training Fund.
• Sharp reduction in funding for Skillnets training in spite of huge surplus in fund.
• Job losses expected while €180 million of training fund unused.
• Reduction in training to negatively impact on SME competitiveness.

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Tuesday 21st April 2009

ISME CREDIT WATCH SPRING ‘09
LATE PAYMENTS STRANGLING SMALL BUSINESS

• Small Business waiting 69 days average for payment, the longest period on record.
• Big business and State sector main culprits in late payments.
• Impotent Prompt Payment legislation must be changed.
• Increase in companies experiencing payment delays of over three months to 42%.
• ISME calls on the Government to introduce mandatory credit terms of 30 days as was initially intended by the Prompt Payment Legislation.

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Friday 17th April 2009

ISME CALLS FOR INQUIRY INTO NATIONAL TRAINING FUND

• Sharp reduction in funding for training in spite of huge surplus in fund.
• €189 million of training fund unused.
• Reduction in training to negatively impact on SME competitiveness

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Wednesday 15th April 2009

PUBLICATION OF ISME’s FIRST QUARTERLY BUSINESS TRENDS SURVEY SPRING 2009

• Sales and exports at all-time low.
• One in two companies (56%) employing less than this time last year. 42% expecting to shed further jobs.
• 76% of companies anticipate a reduction in net profits. 69% expect revenues to decline over the next 12 months.
• Three-quarters of SMEs concerned about future business prospects.
• Economic uncertainty SMEs primary concern.
• Policies required to stimulate business and address cost competitiveness.

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Thursday 9th April 2009

LOWER INFLATION NEEDS TO BE REFLECTED IN COSTS TO BUSINESS

• Business costs need to mirror the new reality to achieve gain in competitiveness.
• Reductions in wages, local charges, energy and the cost of the public sector, essential.

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Tuesday 7th April 2009

SAVAGE BUDGET A MISSED OPPORTUNITY

• Penal tax increases to negatively impact on employment.
• Failure to adequately address current expenditure, particularly the public sector element, a key mistake.
• Job protection and support for business ignored.
• Multi-annual budgets, however, a welcome announcement.

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Friday 3rd April 2009

PUBLIC SECTOR FARCE CONTINUES AS DOLE QUEUES INCREASE

• Public sector pay 25% higher than average private sector pay and 48% ahead of average industrial wage.
• Public sector employment has increased by 5,700, as private sector redundancies reach an all time high.
• ISME demands cut in public sector pay & numbers.

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Thursday 2nd April 2009

ISME WARNS BANKS TO IMMEDIATELY PASS ON INTEREST RATE REDUCTIONS

• Banks refusing to pass on full interest reduction to their SME clients.
• Government must insist on full rate reductions as a condition of bank recapitalisation.

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Wednesday 1st April 2009

350 REDUNDANCIES A DAY BEING REPORTED

• Latest redundancy figures ‘frightening’.
• 163% increase on same period last year.
• 100,000 additional redundancies, if trend continues.
• PRSI relief urgently required to prevent further job losses.

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Wednesday 1st April 2009

9EMPLOYMENT ACTION PLAN CRITICAL TO AVERT LABOUR MARKET ‘DISASTER’

• Employment retention policies crucial to survival of economy.
• Dramatic wage cuts and lower employers PRSI necessary now.
• Radical overhaul of Back to Work Allowances required..

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Monday 30th March 2009

9 OUT OF 10 FIRMS HAVE INTRODUCED
PAY REDUCTIONS / FREEZE IN LAST SIX MONTHS

• Pay reductions averaging 13%, with Micro enterprises cutting by 16%.
• Survey results confirm SMEs are ignoring Partnership wage agreement.
• 50% of companies introduced a pay freeze and 41% a wage reduction.
• ISME calls for Benchmarking 3 to introduce corresponding reductions in public sector pay.

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Wednesday 25th March 2009

ISME WELCOMES EIB FUNDING FOR SMEs

• Association warns banks to allocate funding immediately.
• ISME to monitor fund distribution.

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Wednesday 25th March 2009

ISME CALLS FOR STIMULUS PACKAGE FOR SMEs IN SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET

• Association outlines that ‘inevitable’ tax increases should not dominate budget content.
• Employment maintenance key as PRSI cuts called for.
• Cuts in public expenditure should be main focus of supplementary budget.
• Minister must introduce enterprise stimulus package to ensure economic revival.

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Friday 13th March 2009

JOBS AT RISK DUE TO DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE DELAYS

• Small & Medium businesses in jeopardy due to Department delays.
• ISME calls on Minister to sanction immediate funds drawdown.

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Thursday 12th March 2009

NEGATIVE INFLATION SHOULD LEAD TO
CUTS IN COST TO BUSINESS

• Opportunity to address lost competitiveness and exchequer funding.
• Wage Cost reduction should be the trade off with cost of living decrease.

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Thursday 5th March 2009

ISME WARNS BANKS TO IMMEDIATELY PASS ON INTEREST RATE REDUCTIONS

• Banks still refusing to pass on interest rate cuts to small business.
• SME businesses suffering due to exorbitant cost of credit.
• Government must ensure that rate reductions are passed on in full to SMEs.

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Friday, 27th February 2009

LACK OF GOVERNMENT PLAN CONTRIBUTING TO ‘DISASTROUS’ UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES

• Employment situation much worse than originally feared.
• 79% of unemployment increase last year, occurred in second half of 2008.
• Business confidence at all time low as result of apparent Government ineptitude.
• PRSI relief on new jobs would reduce disastrous job losses.

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Thursday 19th February 2009

ISME CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO GUARANTEE SME BUSINESS LOANS

• Half of companies’ credit requests declined by banks, survey confirms.
• Strong evidence that applications for business proposals are at all time low.
• Bank Recapitalisation will have no effect on availability of credit for SMEs.

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Tuesday 17th February 2009

ISME CONDEMNS NBRU OVER PROPOSED BUS STRIKES

• Transport strike to have devastating consequences for business.
• Strike action to set a dangerous precedent for other public sector Unions.

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Thursday 12th February 2009

INFLATION

• Inflation drop welcome, but concern expressed about potential embedded deflation.
• Addressing cost competitiveness crucial to economic recovery.

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Wednesday 11th February 2009

ISME REITERATES CALL FOR FINANCIAL REGULATOR BOARD TO BE SACKED

• Gross incompetence and negligence destroying trust in financial sector.
• “Deposit Carousel”, another disgrace for banking industry.
• International reputation of financial sector in shreds as taxpayers requested to ‘bail out’ miscreants.

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Wednesday 4th February 2009

ISME CALLS FOR GOVERNMENT PLAN TO ADDRESS ‘RAMPANT’ UNEMPLOYMENT

• 82% increase over last 12 months.
  
• If current trends continue, up to half a million could be ‘signing on’ by year end.
  
• Threat of Union ‘revolution’ a nonsense as economy implodes.
  
• Competitiveness sinks, as Government plan falls short.
  
• Government action required to address employment ‘catastrophe’.

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Tuesday 3rd February 2009

ISME CASTIGATES LOCAL AUTHORITIES FOR TRAFFIC CHAOS

• Six hour delays on short journeys.
  
• No evidence of traffic management plan.
  
• Traffic chaos affects late attendance, absence and delivery levels.

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Monday 2nd February 2009

‘SHOCKING’ REDUNDANCY FIGURES DEMAND ACTION NOT TALKS

• 143% increase in redundancies on corresponding month last year, the worst on record.
  
• 330 redundancies a day, as Government procrastinates and panders to the Unions.
  
• Worse to come, as 100,000 additional redundancies anticipated by year end.
  
• Badly needed Government action plan immediately required.

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Thursday January 29th 2009

ABSENTEEISM COSTING SMALL BUSINESS
€1BILLION ANNUALLY

• 6.6 million days lost due to employees' non-attendance at work.
  
• 83% of all absenteeism due to feigned illness or malingering.
  
• Medical practitioners must be more circumspect in issuing sick certs.

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Friday 23rd January 2009

ISME DEMANDS CUT IN PUBLIC SECTOR PAY & NUMBERS

• Public sector pay cut essential in addressing public finances.
  
• Public sector pay 21% higher than average private sector pay and 45% ahead of average industrial wage.
  
• Additional 121,000 ‘sign on’, as public sector employment increases.
  
• Cost of funding public sector will lead to increased taxation and borrowing unless decisive cuts implemented.

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Thursday January 22nd 2009

ISME CALLS ON LABOUR COURT TO REFUSE DEMAND FOR MINIMUM WAGE HIKE

• Minimum wage madness must stop.
• Calls for an increase in the minimum wage, outlandish, provocative and unrealistic.

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Monday 19th January 2009

ISME CALLS FOR EMERGENCY LEGISLATION TO ALLOW FOR PUBLIC SECTOR PAY CUTS

• Legislation required to prevent legal challenge.
  
• Pay reductions in public sector urgently required.
  
• Government leadership at stake, as tough decisions need to be taken.

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Sunday 18th January 2009

BANK ‘GOUGING’ CONTINUES AS INTEREST RATES FALL

• Usurious 256% margins on loans to small businesses, 114% increase in last year.
  
• Small & medium firms targeted by banks to shore up bank super-profits.
  
• Businesses “lucky enough” to get lending approval being ‘taken to the cleaners’.
  
• Urgent Government action required to stop bank gouging of SME customers.

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Thursday 15th January 2009

ISME WARNS BANKS TO PASS ON LATEST INTEREST RATE REDUCTION IMMEDIATELY

• Bank profiteering at this moment of crisis must be halted.
  
• Evidence that some banks actually increasing interest rates to business.
  
• Government must ensure that rate reductions are passed on in full to SMEs.

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Thursday 15th January 2009

DROP IN INFLATION WELCOME BUT COST CONCERNS STILL REMAIN

• Sharp reduction not reflected in general business costs.
  
• Competitiveness continues to be eroded, as SMEs still suffer from exorbitant labour costs, energy costs and local charges.

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Sunday 11th January 2009

ISME CALLS FOR FINANCIAL REGULATOR BOARD
TO BE SACKED

• Regulators taken for a ride by Banks.
  
• Cosy relationship led to shoddy oversight.

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Friday 9th January 2009

GOVERNMENT INACTION CONFIRMED BY ‘CATASTROPHIC’ LIVE REGISTER FIGURES

• Increase in Live Register in the last 12 months, the highest on record.
  
• 71% increase over last 12 months.
  
• Crippling costs continue to weigh heavily on smaller businesses.
  
• Lack of Government action facilitating thousands of job losses.
  
• ISME reiterates call for immediate National Action Plan to address employment crisis.

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Thursday 8th January 2009

DELL ANNOUNCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS LACK OF GOVERNMENT ACTION ON JOBS

• Jobs being lost at record levels as Government prevaricates.
  
• ISME calls for immediate National Action Plan to address employment crisis.

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Monday 5th January 2009

LABOUR MARKET ‘IN CRISIS’ AS REDUNDANCIES REACH 800 A WEEK

• 60% increase over the last 12 months.
  
• 95% increase on corresponding month last year.
  
• Worse to come, as January set to break all records.
  
• National Pay Agreement needs to be scrapped without delay.

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Monday 5th January 2009

ISME SLAMS GOVERNMENT DITHERING AS ECONOMY FACES ‘WIPEOUT’

• No agenda, no policies, no leadership.
  
• No time left for ‘consensus building’.
  
• Government, not the Social Partners should be setting policy.

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