SIPTU has called on the Board of Amnesty International Ireland to use every means at its disposal to work to secure the employment of its staff in Ireland who are due to be laid off next month as the human rights organisation struggles with a financial crisis.
SIPTU Organiser, Karen Smollen, said: “Our members employed by Amnesty International were advised at a meeting on 28th August that the majority of staff will be laid off from Friday, 6th September, due to a financial crisis in the organisation. This situation will create severe financial hardship for our members.
“However, Amnesty International Ireland has stated that it will not be in a position to meet the payroll for its Irish operation from September into the foreseeable future. This is due to severe financial difficulties which the organisation has been working to address over the past number of years.
“Last year, our members took a 10% cut to their hours of work and their salaries as part of a recovery plan but this was not enough to meet the shortfall in finances. Our members are devastated by the lay-off announcement, particularly the short notice given, while they struggle to make ends meet.”
She added: “The Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland, Stephen Bowen, has informed our members that a voluntary redundancy is available. Due to the charity’s lack of funds, this will be paid by the Social Insurance Fund initially with Amnesty reimbursing it later.”
Amnesty International is the largest global human rights organisation with a presence in over 140 countries worldwide. The global movement’s headquarters is in the United Kingdom.