Round three for former Debenhams workers

 

Laid off Debenhams workers held another day of action today asking that their cause be made a red line issue in government formation.

The workers called on political parties to support state intervention to save their jobs, with a particular focus on the leaders of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party.

This was the third day of action held by the workers, some 2,000 of whom were officially let go by Debenhams last Thursday when the company was formally liquidated.

Workers say they are angry and disappointed that they had no voice in the High Court and have called on the Government to act urgently before the consultation period with the liquidator ends on 17 May.

They also say that they believe that approximately half the stores in Ireland are profitable and that the online business is still active.

Solidarity TD Mick Barry highlighted that more than a third of Debenhams stores in Ireland made a profit last year, including the Cork stores on St Patrick’s Street and in Mahon Point.

He also underlined that shutting down the 11 Debenhams stores nationwide would cost the Government more in lost tax revenue and social welfare payments than it would to intervene and invest in saving jobs.

Speaking on behalf of the protesting workers, former shop steward at Debenhams St Patrick’s Street, Valerie Conlon said: “Covid-19 is leading to massive redundancies everywhere. Debenhams is a test case for how these are handled.

“We believe the Government must act to stop a jobs massacre in the retail sector. With government investment, profitable stores could return to trading as soon as restrictions are lifted in June.”

The workers say they would now like to meet with party leaders who may be in the next government to discuss a number of measures they believe may save their jobs.