Def.- humorously sarcastic or mocking characterized by often poignant differances or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is.
Syn. - contradictory, incongrous, wry
"During the same years when working conditions at America's meatpacking plants become more dangerous - when the line speech increased and illegal immigrants replaced skilled workers - the federal government greatly reduced the enforcement of health and safety laws."
- Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser
There is irony present as the work becomes more dangerous the government pays lessens the enforcement of safetly laws. What they shoul'dve done was to improve on already existing laws or create new ones to protect workers.