Could Water Charges Halt Job Losses?

The implementation of water charges has again been suggested as a possible solution to continued job cuts across NI as the employment market was again in the news this week.

More than 100 jobs are to be created at a company in Co Antrim, but the news that up to 500 prison officers could be made redundant has brought employment losses back into focus too.

The news came on the day that the civil service trade union NIPSA was holding a protest against potential public sector job cuts at Stormont, and the Alliance Regional Development Spokesperson Anna Lo MLA has joined other voices to say that revenue raised through "fair customer water contributions" could help save vital jobs in the health and education sectors.

Lo commented on Tuesday: "The public need to examine the question - would you rather save many vital public sector jobs or not pay for water? If people really look at the issue I think they would rather save their own, their mother's, father's, sons or daughter's jobs and protect the vital role they play in the health service, for example.

"The water crisis was not just caused by weather, the lack of investment in infrastructure was a massive factor. We need to get real about resourcing our public services and start balancing the books. That's why we need fair customer contributions for water based on income and usage."

Her comments follow recent proposals by a semi-official body set up by the NI Executive to advise on the economy to introduce water charges.

They said that enterprise, employment, education and regional development - being the main 'drivers of the economy' - should have their budgets prioritised, while also looking seriously at raising much-needed revenue from fresh sources - such as implementing water charging.

Jobs Come-Jobs Go

This week's new jobs are being created at Schrader Electronics and will bring employment there to almost 1,000 people across Schrader factories in Antrim and Carrickfergus.

East Antrim DUP MLA Alastair Ross has welcomed the news that in the region of 130 jobs are to be created at Schrader Electronics.

Ross commented: "Schrader is a major employer and any further investment and job opportunities are to be warmly welcomed, particularly in these tough economic times.

"The £29 million investment will undoubtedly help the company to further expand, and allow them to tap into Asian and European markets," he said, noting that the company makes devices that can read the tyre pressure of cars and lorries.

Some of the new workers have already been recruited and the company said the new jobs were high quality and would help Schrader to target European and Asian markets and involve research projects looking at new products.

However the news wasn't so good for those in the prison service with the announcement that up to 500 prison officers could be made redundant as part of a fundamental reform.

A severance package is one of the recommendations in an interim report published by a review team.

Almost 1,800 prison officers work in NI prisons - plus just over 400 civilian staff - with fewer than 1,600 prisoners to supervise.

The annual cost of keeping a prisoner is £95,000 - more than double the cost in England, Scotland and Wales.

Despite the high costs, the report labels the prison service as dysfunctional, demoralised and ineffective.

Dame Anne Owers and her review team say fundamental change is needed, including a redundancy scheme for prison officers.

Stormont Justice Minister David Ford has accepted the recommendation, and said he now plans to bring forward proposals to enable those staff who wish to leave the prison service to do so.

No details of the numbers involved have been released but according to the BBC, up to 500 jobs could go.

The process has already started, with a letter sent to all prison officers setting out the need for change, and confirming that a redundancy scheme will be launched in the autumn.

Water Charges 'Backed By NI Advisory Group'

(JG)