NI's poor 'living on the edge'

Published Saturday, 20 October 2012
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A leading trade union figure has told UTV that the poor in Northern Ireland are "living on the edge of an abyss."

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Peter Bunting, Assistant General Secretary for ICTU, told UTV that the government needs to change tack over planned austerity measures.

Over 1,000 public sector workers took part in a rally in Belfast on Saturday against the proposed measures.

The Westminster government is standing firm over the cuts which they believe are vital if the economic deficit is to be dealt with.

The demonstration took place at the same time as rallies in London and Glasgow.

Protesters assembled at York Street, Belfast on Saturday morning and marched through the city centre before attending the rally at Custom House Square.

Union members from across the health, education, and community and voluntary sector were in attendance.

It was organised by the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).

Mr Bunting said the government needs to raise additional funding by targeting the rich and well off - not the poor.

"We have people here today, general community people, who are living on the edge - the edge of an abyss which they are going to tumble into if the welfare bills go ahead, the welfare cuts go ahead."

He added that what is needed is an "economic stimulus" which results in real jobs being available for those coming off welfare or unemployment benefit.

"That's not what is happening in Northern Ireland," he said.

Pamela Dooley, UNISON senior official and Chair of the Northern Committee of ICTU, said that it is time to confront the government with "stark realities from which they cannot escape."

"Realities on which the people demand immediate and direct action.

"Working class people in our society are dying prematurely. The unemployed, and in particular those suffering long-term unemployment are dying quicker than anyone else in this society."

She continued: "As our suicide rates rise low paid workers and unemployed workers, particularly working class men, are taking their own lives at a faster rate than any other group in our society.

"The Government response is to cut low paid public sector jobs, fail to create, or locate, decent jobs in our areas of greatest disadvantage and once again to attack the benefits system supporting our people."

Ross Brown, a Green Party member, attended the rally.

He told UTV the message is that the cuts are not working.

"They are pushing the economy further into recession," he said, before adding that the proposed measures would have a "really detrimental impact on the most vulnerable and poorest people in our society."

"Stormont needs to really grow up and start acting like a proper democratically elected institution - and make the hard choices.

"Raise the revenue from the richest people in society and protect the most vulnerable."

© UTV News
Comments Comments
16 Comments
Des in Derry wrote (241 days ago):
While there are many unemployed people in this country who end up that way, no fault of their own and who do their best to find work, there are a great many scroungers who choose not to work and who get funded to live at the expense of the taxpayers. Point and case, my next door neighbors. I live in a semi detached house that I have to work damn hard to keep the payments up on it and to live. Next door to me is a family of four - mother and father don't work and don't have to. The house is provided for them, their bills are paid. They seem to be able to afford the best toys, cars, home appliances, etc while I have to save for mine. The father has openly made fun of me several times now seeing me go to work and once as well coming home in the evening. Now its been passed it on to the kids who have made sarky comments to me as well about me working for a living. I take it as an insult when people who choose not to work because they are better off for it, not only lead a better standard of life than me and can afford things I can’t, but to add insult to injury have taunted me about it. That says it all. Once again do-gooders and unions spoiling for yet another chance to fight with the government over-inflate the issue and invent a cause and blow it way out of proportion. As Jay says, give them the basics after 18 months and they’ll soon get off their backsides and get jobs. No sympathy for them – bring on the cuts and use the money to help those who want to find jobs instead!
PATRICK M in omagh wrote (241 days ago):
When the conservatives came to power, alot of people knew what was coming, especially myself. The conservatives are out for the rich and elite, and were quick to back away from the mansion tax, because they would only be putting a heavy tax on the politicans and all the other millionaires in the cabinet. No problem putting a bedroom tax on people on the lower scale of the ladder. I always say and its the truth ONE LAW FOR ONE AND ANOTHER LAW FOR THE OTHER!
Mark in Belfast wrote (241 days ago):
The civil service UNIONS are quick to call for strikes and marches when they hear of 'cuts'. In the private sector, these 'cuts' would generally be making a process or department more efficient. The only 'cuts' the unions are interested in is cuts to their membership numbers and therefore their subscriptions. The country cannot survive with such a large civil service. Efficiencies have to be made. the private sector has to do it so why should the public sector be a special case??
Jay in Bangor wrote (241 days ago):
Anyone on benefits for over 18months should be paid in food stamps. No more cigs, alcohol, sky tv. Then lets see how quickly the unemployment rate drops. There are 1000's of jobs out there ! Just go to the job market or employment agency. A new Tesco opened in Belfast recently and has 8 Lithuanian employees who only came to Northern Ireland in September. 80% of the unemployed in a Northern Ireland will not be looking for a job this morning.
big c in falls wrote (241 days ago):
go get a job
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