Why Exactly Are Northern Ireland Wages So Low? (Merged)

dj9928

Why are wages in Northern Ireland so much lower than the rest of the UK, I'm sure there has to be a reason is there? I've just checked the jobcentre plus website in England, I'm a tradesman, I can get no higher than £6 an hour over here, in England (Leeds) £9 starting, I mean there is no hope of me ever getting a wage like that here, and in London same job £13, I mean its shocking that we are so undervalued.

Dave_Brooker

dj9928 wrote: »

Why are wages in Northern Ireland so much lower than the rest of the UK, I'm sure there has to be a reason is there? I've just checked the jobcentre plus website in England, I'm a tradesman, I can get no higher than £6 an hour over here, in England (Leeds) £9 starting, I mean there is no hope of me ever getting a wage like that here, and in London same job £13, I mean its shocking that we are so undervalued.

Because houses are really cheap, there were no rates, large numbers of unemployed people and the risk of bombs going off left right and centre.

dj9928

Dave_Brooker wrote: »

Because houses are really cheap, there were no rates, large numbers of unemployed people and the risk of bombs going off left right and centre.

Houses are cheap:rotfl: :rotfl: They have risen higher than anywhere else in the UK bar London

leftieM

Dave's post is entirely true assuming he wrote it prior to 1997.
So anyway, Dave, back to 2007 - any thoughts?
As for the OP's question - I always thought it the Calvinist 'work ethic' that was exploited by industrialists here (ie you work hard to get closer to God, not for remuneration). Perhaps that's too simplistic.
Also NI people are slow to leave so you have a highly educated population that wishes to remain at home. You will get a graduate to work for 12k a year which means the employer turns a higher profit. Local businessmen are still more fond of the stick than the carrot when it comes to getting their employees to produce. Their counterparts on the mainland have learned that an employee that feels valued is one that is more productive. The businessmen here prefer to make employees feel insecure in their jobs to keep them on their toes.

dj9928

leftieM wrote: »

Dave's post is entirely true assuming he wrote it prior to 1997.
So anyway, Dave, back to 2007 - any thoughts?
As for the OP's question - I always thought it the Calvinist 'work ethic' that was exploited by industrialists here (ie you work hard to get closer to God, not for remuneration). Perhaps that's too simplistic.
Also NI people are slow to leave so you have a highly educated population that wishes to remain at home. You will get a graduate to work for 12k a year which means the employer turns a higher profit. Local businessmen are still more fond of the stick than the carrot when it comes to getting their employees to produce. Their counterparts on the mainland have learned that an employee that feels valued is one that is more productive. The businessmen here prefer to make employees feel insecure in their jobs to keep them on their toes.

Yes I would certainly agree with that.

motorguy

Dave_Brooker wrote: »

Because houses are really cheap, there were no rates, large numbers of unemployed people and the risk of bombs going off left right and centre.

... and they wonder why the irish / northern irish hate the english

master_blaster_2

Dave_Brooker wrote: »

Because houses are really cheap, there were no rates, large numbers of unemployed people and the risk of bombs going off left right and centre.

guy I wouldn't bother trying to enlighten dave .... you know what they say .... "you cant fix stupid" ... (and ignorant isnt easy either)

Parisien

Not really sure...its a bit bizarre...almost an economic paradox....huge house prices/extra taxes due, high other costs......lowest U/E in UK as a region...and crap wages????!!

I think there may be a degree of stupidity in all this, people aren't demanding their wage rights and not prepared to take action!!

LilMissEmmylou

id say less than London as London living prices are much much higher! Elsewhere though, no clue, it drives me nuts.

Leothecat

master_blaster wrote: »

guy I wouldn't bother trying to enlighten dave .... you know what they say .... "you cant fix stupid" ... (and ignorant isnt easy either)

Was his post not a bit tongue in cheek? I thought he was being sarcy (and quite funny)

motorguy

Leothecat wrote: »

Was his post not a bit tongue in cheek? I thought he was being sarcy (and quite funny)

Personally, i doubt it, or he would have put a :rolleyes: or a :rotfl: or a , but no doubt he will come back on here and say he was 'only joking' and that we should 'lighten up'.