The Irish Business And Employers Confederation (Ibec) has called on the Government to oversee a 10 point plan it claims will help save jobs in the manufacturing sector.
The plan, which includes restrictions on wage increases, was released today against backdrop of what the employers' body claimed was "job crisis" in the manufacturing sector.
Ibec director Brendan McGinty said the recommendations would help stop the loss of competitiveness of the sector. He said this could be done within the "partnership process".
He said higher costs, including what he said was a 35.8 per cent increase in employee costs over five years and a drop in manufacturing output prices, required urgent action to "rein in" the growth of costs in the industry.
Mr McGinty added: "Manufacturing industry output prices have fallen by 11.7 per cent over the past three years, but costs are rising faster than in competitor countries.
"Employment costs including taxes per employee grew by 35.8 per cent in the period 1999-2004 giving an average of 38,140, significantly ahead of the euro zone average of 35,158," he added.
Ibec's plan addresses change management, the moderation of pay costs, special measures for businesses at greatest risk, how to encourage investment in R&D and ways of tackling Ireland's infrastructure problems.
Ibec proposes that this be overseen by a high-level group under the Department of the Taoiseach.
