IBEC: Worrying jump in redundancies
The Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) have expressed concern at figures releaded today, showing an increase in redundancies for the first quarter of this year.
Actual redundancies increased by 36% in the first quarter of 2006 according to data released by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Almost 6000 workers were made redundant in the period while over 1,600 people lost their jobs in the month of March alone.
Commenting on the redundancy figures, IBEC senior economist Fergal O’Brien said: "The Department’s figures and worrying and reflect the fact that the competitive pressures on Irish business continue to intensify.
"The cost pressures facing the manufacturing sector are reflected in the large number of companies relocating to lower cost countries, but increasingly redundancies are now occurring in the services sector. Some 55% of all jobs lost in the January to March period were in the services sector, with about one-third in manufacturing.’
"Despite the current overall strength of the Irish labour market and strong economic growth, the government must not become complacent about job losses. While it is inevitable that there will be some churning of employment, every effort must be made to support the competitiveness of Irish business.
"Government must take the first step by ensuring that the services it provides to business are delivered in a cost effective and efficient manner. Local authorities, in particular, must seek to reduce their unsustainably high charges for rates and services".
