COMMUNIST PARTY OF IRELAND
Press
Statement
6 September
2012
Outsourcing
a further transfer of wealth to big business
The
Government is to outsource services in health, justice, education and local
authorities as part of the EU-IMF cuts programme. Each department has been
given until the end of the year to propose areas for outsourcing; but given the
history of these major decision being discussed beforehand in foreign
parliaments, it is likely that the principal areas have already been picked and
that this is merely a rubber-stamping of this major negative development in the
provision of services to Irish people.
Private
companies will carry out these services only if there is profit to be made off
citizens. This will drive a reduction in the quality of services, accompanied
by extra costs, either direct to the citizen or by way of government contract.
These companies will put their own profit agenda ahead of citizens’ needs. It
is likely that any outsourcing will also lead to offshoring as jobs are sent to
the cheapest country.
We are still
suffering the consequences of this private-sector agenda in banking that has
bankrupted the country.
What
outsourcing really represents is a transfer of money from citizens to big
business. It will be the usual global monopolies that will win contracts
through their cut-throat cost-cutting, and the state will hand over millions to
boost their profits.
Once again
Irish taxpayers will be paying for the lavish and outrageous lifestyles of a
global elite while our services are cut, jobs outsourced and offshored, and our
young people forced to emigrate.
The trade unions
movement and all citizens need to combine to defend jobs and services. The
trade union movement, if it is to remain relevant, must no longer allow the
tail to wag the dog but must break with Labour Party policy.
Eugene Mc
Cartan
087 9733414
087 9733414
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