Congress Seeks Assurances on Jobs Fund & Pensions
20 May 2009
Congress is to seek assurances from Government on proposals relating to pensions and the level of resources available for jobs, following receipt of a letter from Taoiseach Brian Cowen outlining the Government's position on Congress proposals for job protection, pensions and repossessions.
The contents of the letter were discussed at a lenghty meeting of the Congress Executive Council, along with a proposal to engage in talks on a national recovery plan.
Among the concerns raised at the Executive Council was the lack of clarity in the Government proposals around situations such as that in SR Technics, where there is a 'volunatry liquidation' of the company but workers pensions have not been protected.
General Secretary David Begg will also seek to determine the level of resources Government says can be made available to keep people in employment and create new jobs. Congress has already said that a fund of €1 Billion be set aside for jobs (see below) and that this money should comprise "new and existing resources."
In his recent letter the Taoiseach talked only on the "transfer of resources", which would seem to indicate no new spending.
He also said Government was willing to explore "alternative means" by which people who lose their jobs can protect their homes.
Congress has said it would be willing to discuss the framing of a national recovery plan, should these concerns be properly met.Speaking after the Executive Council meeting, Mr Begg said any such engagement would of necessity be short and probably not go beyond a week.
ends
Irish Congress of Trade Unions,
32 Parnell Square, Dublin 1.
Tel: (01) 889 7799; m 087 9174171