Notes about Irelands, very useful 4a) Globalization has had a beneficial effect for Irish labor. The country has low unemployment (4.6% as of June 2002). Minimum wage has risen from 5.97 to 6.35 euros an hour. The Irish labor force has many legal protections, including the right to association and the right to organize and bargain collectively. They also have paid time off, sick leave, social security, workday breaks, and protection against unfair dismissal. These laws are all very …showed first 75 words of 768 total…

…showed last 75 words of 768 total…US war against Iraq. A recent anti-war protest in Dublin was estimated at 90,000 protestors. Public opinion in Ireland holds that the US should never have invaded Iraq and should have allowed for the continuation of UN weapons inspectors. Ireland has little to gain from Iraqi regime change. It is unlikely that the country will play a major role in rebuilding Iraq. If Iraqi oil exports were to increase, Ireland could benefit from cheaper petrol prices.