NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE
I have written today to members of Tynwald urging them to protect the jobs of IOM workers and seek alternatives to current proposals by the DED to further diminish employment protection for existing workers and the jobs of our children.
A copy of the correspondence is set out below. I would urge all who share similar concerns to email their Tynwald member(s):
Circular Letter
FAO all Tynwald Members
Tynwald Buildings
Prospect Hill
Douglas
Isle of Man
5th February 2016
Dear Member,
I draw your attention to the attached correspondence sent to Minister Skelly (DED) yesterday urging him to rethink the decision to further diminish protections for Isle of Man Workers set out in the Control of Employment legislation.
This latest proposal is one of series that have steadily eroded the effectiveness of these important protections for Isle of Man workers.
Short term recruitment difficulties in any particular sector should be capable of resolution without an ‘axe’ being taken to work permit legislation
I urge you to oppose any further changes and press government to seek a more equitable resolution of the current recruitment problems in IT and E-gaming.
Yours sincerely
Bernard Moffatt
Director of Information
Text of letter to the Minister:
{The Minister for Economic Development
Mr Laurence Skelly MHK
Department of Economic Development
St Georges Court
Upper Church Street
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 1EX
4th February 2016
Dear Minister,
I read with concern plans by your Department to further diminish control of employment provisions by allowing exemptions to certain categories of IT professionals.
Given that the Island Education Department over many years has invested in ensuring the development of information technology skills in young people and when this is such a potentially lucrative career for IT savvy young persons to enter it strikes me as the height of folly to dismantle provisions in place to safeguard employment opportunities.
Rather than dismantle the safeguards would it not be more prudent to look at how existing control mechanisms can be fine-tuned so that businesses faced with shortages of appropriate IT staff can facilitate a permit more easily.
It appears to the public that the once vital safety-net in a small Island community of Control of Employment legislation is being steadily demolished by successive governments.
This government has acquired a reputation for selling the employment right of Isle of Man workers to the interests of the business community.
Work Permit provisions were rightly put in place to defend our workers and I do not have to tell you that a section of the Manx workforce has no employment rights in the European Union.
I do not see other countries dismantling their legislative safeguards to facilitate Manx born workers so why are you and this government traducing the few protections that do exist here?
Yours sincerely
Bernard Moffatt
Director of Information}
Related link:
BERNARD MOFFATT
Issued by: The Celtic News
05/02/16
THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE.
The Celtic League established in 1961 has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It promotes cooperation between the countries and campaigns on a range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, military activity and socio-economic issues
