The FOA public services unions is highly critical of the way that many local authorities are reducing budgets and making savings when they needn't do so. The union argues that not only does this form of austerity undermine the economic recovery but the reduction in staffing and services is having a direct impact on citizens, particularly the elderly. The FOA says that around 43% of municipalities will reduce staffing in 2014 and the same percentage will cut their operating budget.
Read more at > FOA (DK)
Union criticises municipal cutbacks
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Low paid worse affected by cutbacks
The JHL public sector union reports that temporary lay-offs are on the increase, with employees affected in some 20 municipalities and new plans for similar measures are reported every week. Municipalities are also trying to save money by attempting to remove the holiday bonus pay for holidays, offering unpaid holidays instead and privatising services. The union warns that those hit hardest are those with the lowest income, the majority of whom are women and so this is also a question of equality. Read more at > JHL (EN)
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