Time to fight for Irish workers

IT seems to have been forgotten that in 2008-2009 Hibernian-Aviva, which became Aviva subsequently, transferred 580 positions in Ireland to Bangalore in India.

Thus, a company earning high profits on policies in Ireland made even bigger profits at the expense of Irish workers. A suggestion was made at the time that we should transfer our policies elsewhere within Ireland (re)creating the jobs here. We, as a nation — out of greed, perhaps, with little consideration for or consolidation with our fellow workers — ignored such suggestions.

Let us now at last come to our senses and in a time of economic recession and job losses in general transfer our policies over to Irish-based companies paying Irish-based wages and with Irish-based jobs.

We would place our policies with companies who would promise that the extra jobs created with this new business would be in Ireland and not elsewhere and if no such company is forthcoming then a new company could be established (perhaps the PIPA — Private Insurance Protection Association?) as has happened in the past with PMPA, which could reemploy the available, eager and experienced workforce made redundant and about to be made redundant.

We can “determine the market” by concerted effort, less greed and more consideration for, and consolidation with, our fellow workers. “Yes we can” do something or do we continue to take it all lying down?

Ted Hurley

Clybaun Heights

Knocknacarra

Galway