The 300 workers at Bupa Ireland’s base in Fermoy, Cork today pleaded with the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, to safeguard their jobs.
Minister Harney confirmed that a legal loophole, which would have allowed the Quinn Group to take over Bupa’s base, staff and customers and avoid making risk equalisation payments to the Vhi for three years, was closed.
The Quinn Group said it was now “reviewing its options” on the proposed takeover in the wake of the minister’s move.
This was in marked contrast to last week when buoyant group chief Seán Quinn visited Fermoy, where he met Bupa staff and local town councillors. He was excited about his new venture and told councillors he was delighted the 300 jobs in Bupa Ireland’s Fermoy base had been secured.
On a day when 300 jobs were formally announced for Ballincollig by Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin, staff in Fermoy were extremely fearful that their jobs were under threat.
In a rollercoaster three months, staff were told on December 13 last year that Bupa was pulling out of the Irish market but they received a major reprieve when the Quinn Group announced last month that they were taking over Bupa’s operations.
Employees were overjoyed that the Quinn Group had committed to re-employing all staff and offering the same conditions of employment as Bupa.
However, Bupa finance and compliance manager, Mary Condon, said today was like December 13 all over again, when Bupa announced it was pulling out of the market.
“This is extremely disappointing,” she said.
“We seem to be back to where we started. We wish the minister would review the whole situation to lift the uncertainty. Everybody was really excited and looking forward to working with the Quinn Group.
“The mood in the office was so good over the past few weeks since the takeover was announced but now it’s all doom and gloom again.”
However, Ms Condon reassured existing Bupa members that all policies would be fulfilled until their next renewal date.
Thousands of new customers have signed up with the company in the last few weeks since the takeover was announced.
Mitchelstown-based Deputy Ned O’Keeffe said the ball was now in the Quinn Group’s court.
He said: “It is an intolerable situation for the employees who deserve to know where they stand.”