SIPTU and Fórsa members, working in local employment services, will stage a socially distanced protest outside Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, constituency office, Mall Road, Monaghan Town, county Monaghan on Thursday, 22nd July at 1.00 p.m. to highlight their opposition to plans to privatise these essential community services. The action is part of the ‘Our Community is Not for Sale’ campaign that is demanding an immediate halt to the a government tendering process for private companies to bid for state contracts to run programmes to assist people getting back into the workforce. Speaking in advance of the protest SIPTU Community Sector Organiser, Peter Glynn, said: “If these tendering processes proceed as planned it will lead to the wholesale privatisation of local employment services. This will see the forcing out of the effective community-based non-profit providers of local employment services.” Fórsa Assistant General Secretary, Lynn Coffey, said: “These services are needed now more than ever. It’s imperative that the Minister engages directly with the representatives of staff, service providers and service users to ensure the future of local employment services.” SIPTU and Fórsa members working in local employment services and spokespeople will be available for interview at the event. Click here ‘Our Community is Not for Sale’ video
SIPTU and Fórsa stage lunchtime protest outside Minister Heather Humphreys constituency office
