CE supervisors shafted while Fás bigwigs got golden handshakes

Community Employment Scheme supervisors are no closer to their pension, which was recommended by the Labour Court in July, 2008, given the latest reply by Minister for Arts, Heather Humphreys, to a parliamentary question in the Dail last week.

The response was :“it is not possible for the State to take over responsibility for funding pension arrangements for employees of private companies, even where those companies are reliant on State funding”. Community Employment Schemes were set up in 1993 by the government to bring together voluntary groups and combat high unemployment.

Five years later, these groups were mandated by the State to become incorporated as limited companies, otherwise they would no longer receive funding. The management of these schemes offer their time voluntarily for the good of their communities. The minister’s statement is in contradiction of what the Labour Court recommended in 2008.

The Labour Court said it “has considered the submission made to it by the direct parties and by the funding agency (Fás).

Taking account of government policy on the desirability of pensions for all workers, the fact that the provision of pensions was regarded by Fás as a legitimate cost in the case of employees in Community Training Workshops, and the argument that these workers were included in the latest benchmarking proposals, and their renumeration was reviewed in the process as though they had benefit of a pension scheme... the court recommends that an agreed pension scheme should be introduced for Community Employment Scheme supervisors and assistant supervisors.

The scheme should be adequately funded by Fás as the recognised funding agency. The parties should engage without delay to bring this about, being mindful that no adverse consequences for workers’ employment should arise therefrom”

What has happened since? Well, a lot. Fás disbanded and Mr Roddy Molloy received a golden handshake. Large numbers of staff at managerial level retired with big pensions. What happened Community Employment supervisors?

In 2008, there were 2,200 supervisors; today, there are 1,100. That’s a cut of 50%, with no pension, and double the workload. Is there any point in having the Labour Court, and the costs entailed in upholding it, when recommendations are ignored if they impinge on the State?

Noel Conway,

Lissarow,

Ardmore,

Co. Waterford