AltAusterity Digest #2: June 21-28, 2017

Municipal workers in Greece strike over employment relations with the government hindering trash collection. Over 5,000 demonstrators took part in the demonstrations calling for the government to demand full-time, permanent employment to municipal workers who are currently employed on short-term contracts.

The tragedy of Grenfell Tower raises questions about the future of austerity in Britain. Public outrage over living conditions in London have spurred discussions over the balance between taxes and public services. The Economist questions whether higher taxes or regulations are the proper mechanisms to address public service problems. Michelle Chen of The Nation proposes an alternate view.

The DUP proposes special tax status for corporations in Northern Ireland and cuts to the air passenger duty currently in place. These moves are made in an attempt to “move towards” the Tory platform. All major parties represented in the Northern Ireland assembly are in favour of reducing corporate taxes to 12.5% to bring them in line with the Irish Republic.

The OECD has released a report on its fastest growing economy – Iceland. The OECD recommends preserving macroeconomic stability through monetary tightening and fiscal contraction, as well as establishing a sovereign wealth fund. Other recommendations include making tourism sustainable and inclusive, and to make labour relations more effective by keeping wage increases “sustainable.”

That's it for this week's Digest! Check back next Friday morning for another edition, or subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly roundup. We'll also Tweet each time we add new content, so you can keep up with our work @AltAusterity and join the #altausterity conversation!