The FSP-UGT public service federation is very concerned that the labour reforms will reinforce government policy to get more of the unemployed to take on voluntary work in areas like social services. The union has criticised the government for the proposals which it says not only imply that it is the fault of the individuals that they are unemployed but could also end up with the unemployed doing work previously done by public sector workers who have since been made redundant.
Read more at > FSP-UGT (ES)
Federation warns of workers being replaced with unemployed "volunteers"
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Union federations criticise low replacement rate
The FSC-CCOO and FSP-UGT federations have attacked the government for recruitment plans and its decision to replace only one in 10 public sector workers when they leave their jobs. The FSC-CCOO federation was already critical of the 15% replacement rate included in the 2010 budget and warns that a 10% replacement rate will threaten to undermine the quality of public services. The cuts are particularly of concern in the current period when defending employment is a key part of the response to the crisis. It is also pointed out that the 25% replacement rate imposed in the 1990s had a negative
Union concern over increasing role of volunteers
The FOA public service union is concerned about the increasing number of tasks being given to volunteers in nursing homes and care centres - tasks that would normally be undertaken by paid staff. A union survey of members found one in four reporting that jobs previously handled by employees were being done by volunteers. The union welcomes the contribution of volunteers but warns that the sector cannot continue to cut jobs and rely more and more on unpaid support. FOA is also concerned about an increasing division in tasks with paid staff focusing more on practical tasks while volunteers take
Union argues that agreements needed on role of volunteers
As 2011 is the European year of volunteering, it is appropriate that the FOA public services has surveyed its members to find their views on volunteer work. While nine out of 10 are fully supportive of the work done by volunteers in the social services, just over a quarter are concerned that some volunteer work involves tasks that should really be carried out by professionals. FOA suggests that the union at the workplace should be involved in discussions with volunteer organisations to clarify the respective responsibilities of paid and unpaid workers. [Read more at > FOA (DK)->http://www.foa