SIPTU’s Health Divisional Organiser, Kevin Figgis, is urging the Government to commit to providing high-quality universal public services following the adoption of a resolution by the European Federation of Public Services Unions (EPSU).
The resolution, adopted by an executive committee meeting in Brussels on 10th and 11th March, calls for high-quality, universal and rights-based public services across the continent.
EPSU represents 260 unions and eight million public service workers across Europe. It has two committee seats for Ireland, one of which is held by Figgis.
“This resolution was adopted to promote the need for access to good quality public services but also to promote public services as a pillar of society,” Figgis said.
“High-quality public services are something that we should seek to attain for all of our citizens. We want to send out a signal that public services are vital and that our government has a role in investing in them.
“The government must prioritise safeguarding jobs in public services and resist efforts to outsource or privatise them to for-profit organisations. By investing in public services, we protect their essential role in society and ensure that quality jobs continue to benefit all citizens.
“Now is the time for the government to stand firmly in support of universal, high-quality public services as a foundation for societal progress.”
According to EPSU’s statement, high-quality, universal, accessible to all and rights-based public services are “the backbone of the European Social Model and one of the essential components for a renewed Social Contract for Europe’s workers”.