Comments on: Big economy protectionism is the “lump of labour” fallacy gone global http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/2009/03/big-economy-protectionism-is-the-lump-of-labour-fallacy-gone-global/ Policy news and comment from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:54:53 +0000 hourly 1 By: Charlie Marks http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/2009/03/big-economy-protectionism-is-the-lump-of-labour-fallacy-gone-global/comment-page-1/#comment-1722 Charlie Marks Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:33:45 +0000 http://www.touchstoneblog.org.uk/?p=2121#comment-1722 Yes, yes, but what position should the movement take towards open labour markets within the EU? "Employers can use a supply of migrant workers to drive down wages, which reduces their purchasing power. But that is an argument for better union organisation and legal protection against exploitation." Do we then try to manage labour market competition by restricting the number of people entering the UK from within the EU, or do we, as now, have no limits? What measures should be used to defend jobs here - won't they all be rejected as "protectionist"? I am dismayed that trade unionists should be blogging to the tune of the neoliberals. Yes, yes, but what position should the movement take towards open labour markets within the EU?

“Employers can use a supply of migrant workers to drive down wages, which reduces their purchasing power. But that is an argument for better union organisation and legal protection against exploitation.”

Do we then try to manage labour market competition by restricting the number of people entering the UK from within the EU, or do we, as now, have no limits?

What measures should be used to defend jobs here – won’t they all be rejected as “protectionist”? I am dismayed that trade unionists should be blogging to the tune of the neoliberals.

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