A British worker visits his family and sees the effect of the capitalist crisis in Ireland.
We
are very grateful to have received this report, written by a worker
from Britain, which illustrates the depth of the crisis we are facing
and the impact it is having throughout the state, we believe that this
story could be repeated thousands of times in the towns and the
villages in Ireland.
I
travelled to Ireland mid-July to attend a family wedding in County
Clare. My immediate impression upon arriving was the despondency and
resignation that was apparent in members of my family living there in
the future of Ireland and what it could mean for them.
A
relative picked me up from Shannon Airport and whilst driving told me
of his continual desire to find work, explaining that there were just
no jobs available. He is fully trained in building planning and
designing but his company went bust 3 months previously and he was made
redundant.
Nearing
home he pointed out to me local building sites that were half finished,
equipment still left untouched since departure and debris lying
everywhere. Some of these sites were located in areas that were empty
of anything and desolation would be the best word to describe what I
saw. The thing is these sites were numerous and it isn’t that big a
town and it was explained that the companies undertaking the work had
gone bankrupt, run out of money or were refused credit. This had
crippled the industry in the area with the resulting job losses. There
is no sign of improvement.
My
relative also shared with me the news that his girlfriend, a trained
teacher who could find no work and moved to England, had left him. He’s
gutted but the spirit of the Irish to get on with it is prevalent in
him. What I find hard to imagine is how a teacher can’t find work in
Ireland and for me just seems to highlight the failings of capitalism.
Further
woes were also shared with me regarding the provision for the mentally
handicapped. Two family members need care, one more so. The government
has withheld funding for this, so constant supervision being received
is now being reduced in numbers, thus inhibiting activities that they
can do and restricting development. This constant care being provided
during the year is also being reduced by some weeks with the resulting
extra pressure being brought to bear for providing care during these
times. The feeling is that this is only the first step in reductions
and more are expected.
These
are examples that have direct bearing on my family, but just in the 1
week I was in Ireland, through watching the news and reading newspapers
I was astounded with the problems due to the recession and the banking
failure.
The
government had introduced some years back a Minimum wage that was the
second highest in Europe. The same people who introduced this are now
considering reducing it back again. This is combined with 5.3 billion
Euros spending cuts proposed by a special group set up by the
government to look at public services and spending.
This
cut will take the form of 17,000 job losses in schools and hospitals
and a reduction by half in social welfare rates, carer’s allowances,
illness benefit and job seekers. This, they argue, will balance the
books, but at what cost in human misery? The sceptre of Imperialism is
still alive and kicking in Ireland I think but it’s not The British any
more but the Republic Government itself and the banking system it
supports.
A
final note on my father-in-law’s attitude, which for me sums up the
despair at the moment, when it was announced that there would be 300
job losses at Leixlip County Kildare Plant due to a so called decline
in need for products made there. ‘More job losses, when’s it going to
stop?’
That
Irish sprit I mentioned earlier – to get on with it – was certainly
evident at the wedding and the occasion was a marked success!
(Article first posted on the Fightback site)
