SIPTU members protest over plans to privatise local employment services

SIPTU members, working in local employment services, will stage a socially distanced protest outside the Department of Social Protection to highlight their opposition to plans to privatise these essential community services on Friday, 9th July at 12.30 outside the Department of Social Protection, Áras Mhic Dhiarmada, Store Street, Dublin 1 At the protest, SIPTU representatives will launch the ‘Our Community is Not for Sale’ campaign demanding an immediate halt to tenders for private companies to bid for state contracts to run programmes to assist people getting back into the workforce. Speaking in advance of the launch SIPTU Public Administration and Community Division Organiser, Adrian Kane, said: “It is time to call the Government out. 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.” SIPTU members working in local employment services and spokespeople will be available for interview at the event.