The HMRC building in Enniskillen that recently closed
ENNISKILLEN income tax staff at the centre of a government strike say they are being forced into voluntary redundancy despite assurances by the Treasury Minister that all routes of redeployment would be explored.
Just six weeks after the tax office in Abbey House closed its doors, 17 staff were told this week their jobs are to go prompting union representatives and politicians to accuse the Treasury department of making no effort to help secure local jobs.
Staff expressed their shock over the decision adding that “no care or thought for the well-being of families” was considered.
A strike was held as office workers united in opposition to the national reforms of the HMRC days before the office closed.
Barney Lawn from the Public and Commercial Services union issued a statement on behalf of the employees: “Staff effected by this feel that HMRC have not taken into consideration their personal impact nor has a equality impact assessment been completed.
“They have rail-roaded through and staff feel they are being forced into voluntary redundancy without any due consideration for redeployment options and the department has absconded from their responsibility of the equality agenda.
“Seventeen people have been offered redundancy and if they reject then they will be forced into compulsory redundancy where the payment is not as good.”
Mr Lawn accused the Treasury department of adopting a dogmatic approach and called on government officials to reconsider their decision.
“This announcement has come as a complete surprise,” he said.
“Normally they would give a reasonable time for redeployment, like six months to try and get other work.
“The department has made little or no effort in realistic terms of securing other jobs. They haven’t put any time or effort in redeploying other people.
“This will effect 17 jobs in Fermanagh out of the 23 staff as the rest went voluntarily. The majority of workers are female and part time and live locally with families.
“The department’s approach is very dogmatic and leaves people with limited hope. The union’s position is that we will continue to make representations along with other MPs, MLAs in the department to re-consider its position.
“Staff are shocked and de-moralised and have been loyal employees and did not want to be treated in such a manner. There has been no care or thought for the well-being of their families.”
DUP MP Gregory Campbell voiced his anger at the redundancies.
“I asked the Treasury if they would take steps to ensure that HM Revenue and Customs staff based in Northern Ireland scheduled to be offered voluntary redundancy terms will be given the opportunity of being redeployed, he added.
“Employees find it difficult to believe on 14th July when the Minister’s reply was signed off on, that the voluntary redundancy announcement was not also finalised considering that it was put to employees three weeks later, on 7th August. A Minister saying that something “cannot be ruled out in the future” when it appears he has already decided to introduce it, is nauseating.”
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