Redundancies 2001-2004
27 Apr 2005
The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed latest Briefing Paper entitled ‘Redundancies 2001-2004’ highlights the scale of redundancies in Ireland after the Celtic Tiger. It identifies the sectors and locations particularly affected by these job losses. It also highlights and assesses the current Government actions designed to assist those who have been made redundant.
‘The scale of redundancies being announced year on year is a worrying concern. Although redundancies are affecting all sectors and regions, those engaged in manufacturing and low-skilled type work are particularly vulnerable’, said June Tinsley, INOU Policy Officer. ‘At a minimum, redundant workers need to be informed of their rights and entitlements as regards redundancy payments etc. but they also need access to effective training and upskilling to increase their employability chances but in addition realistic alternative job opportunities must be available in those localities to avoid mass migration to other areas’.
In the interests of effective engagement with redundant workers and for economic development across industrial sectors, some of the INOU recommendations include:
· Enhance the effectiveness of the taskforces that are set up by FAS by ensuring involvement of all key stakeholders from the outset.
· Ensure the taskforces explore the possibility of new entity start-ups in whole or in part in conjunction with the IDA and other relevant agencies.
· Ensure that the options presented to the workers are realistic and appropriate with job opportunities being available at the end.
· The long term viability and sustainability of the State’s manufacturing base needs to be urgently addressed by Government, including new business development.
· Investment in job creation and employment growth through the IDA and Enterprise Ireland must be regionally balanced and guided by the National Spatial Strategy.
Copies of the Briefing Paper are available by contacting the INOU offices or downloading from our website www.inou.ie
