SIPTU welcomes jobs plan which will be judged on results
SIPTU has welcomed the launch on Monday (13th February) of the Government’s multi-annual jobs plan but cautioned that it’s success can only be judged in terms of the extent to which it revives the domestic economy and creates employment opportunities in Ireland.
SIPTU economist, Marie Sherlock, said; “We welcome the establishment of a partial credit guarantee, a micro finance fund, a capital development fund and the other initiatives outlined in the plan that are aimed at sustaining existing companies and assisting start-up firms.”
Marie Sherlock said that SIPTU also welcomed plans for improved co-ordination between the various Government departments and state agencies involved in economic development, including Enterprise Ireland and the IDA.
She added; “The commitment by the State to maximise procurement opportunities for Irish businesses is a initiative that must be welcomed. However, the precise detail of the changes to the procurement criteria will be watched closely.
“The undertaking to establish a manufacturing development forum focused on assisting companies to re-organise and up-skill to new processes is also a step in the right direction. The exact details of how such a forum will operate are yet to be revealed but this initiative would seem to be in line with the type of forum which SIPTU has called on the Government to establish in recent months.”
However Marie Sherlock cautioned against the expectation of immediate results from the plan.
“The challenge faced by the current Government is on a scale few have faced before. By the end of this year, Ireland will have recorded the largest loss of jobs of any economy across the industrialised world since the Great Depression. Over the period 2008-2012, the numbers in employment will have fallen by close to 17%.
“It must be accepted that even with the introduction of the Government’s new initiatives it will take time to generate additional jobs in the Irish economy. Furthermore, the competitiveness gains anticipated by Government in the plan from reductions in labour and other costs are overstated.”
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