Thousands of hi-tech jobs under threat

THOUSANDS of hi-tech and specialist jobs could be lost to cheap-labour countries such as India or China, union bosses said yesterday.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) estimates that between 10,000 and 25,000 jobs are being lost each year through "outsourcing" to firms overseas. Firms running call centres and clothing factories have previously switched jobs abroad, but the ICTU fears high-skill jobs could be next.

Paul Sweeney, economic adviser to ICTU, said: "Out-sourcing has always been here but it is speeding up with globalisation and the reduced costs of communications and transport.