Monthly Archives: October 2022

Women Demand Better

Posted on by
Reply

The absence of hostel facilities for homeless and vulnerable women was the focus of a major protest rally in Belfast on Saturday, but the issues and the demands went well beyond that.

The ‘Women Demand Better’ rally, organised by UNITE the Union, highlighted the closure of Northern Ireland’s only exclusively female hostel, in May of this year, and the failure of the Department for Communities (DfC) to provide replacement services.

Homeless hostel accommodation should be planned for and funded by DfC, and provided directly by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

The lack of women only accommodation is not a simple administrative matter. Health, well-being and lives are at stake. The Housing Executive, supported by health, social services and mental health services, must step up immediately, assume responsibility and provide a first-class service with the first class staff in waiting.

Women Demand Better also because they are subjected to a disproportionate amount of economic, social and personal hardship as a result of the cost-of-living crisis. Research report after research report is spelling that out very clearly and very painfully.

On average, women earn less than men, because they are more likely to have jobs that pay less than the living wage, because women are also more likely to bear responsibility for managing daily household costs, such as groceries and children’s items and because the majority of unpaid carers are women.

Childcare remains a major obstacle for women returning to, and remaining in, work. For many parents it remains unavailable, or inflexible and unaffordable.

Part time employment and zero hours contracts compound the problems faced by women in the workforce. They do not resolve them.

The gender pay gap persists and leaves women at a further disadvantage.

The lack of a real living wage continues to impact disproportionately on women and young girls.

On top of all that, the problems for women in abusive relationships can be further compounded by the cost-of-living crisis and financial dependency on their abuser.

The Workers Party stands with Women.

22nd International Meeting of Communist and Workers Parties

Posted on by
Reply

The 22nd International Meeting of Communist and Workers Parties has been held in Havana, Cuba.

The Workers Party was represented by our International Secretary, Gerry Grainger, and Eoin McNeill of the party’s International Department.

More than 160 delegates from over 60 countries convened under the slogan ‘United we are stronger’ to discuss a range of international issues including the threats posed by the arms race, the large cuts to social spending which result from it and the existence and modernisation of nuclear weapons. The meeting also warned against the growing number of foreign military bases and NATO’s project to become a global military organisation.

The struggles of young people, women and those fleeing war zones and persecution were highlighted as was the ongoing dangers to our environment, ecosystem and to the human species by a capitalist economic system driven by profit , over production and the ruthless and damaging exploitation of natural resources.

With the gathering being held in Havana it was an appropriate opportunity to extend international solidarity to the Cuban people and “… their struggle for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the unjust, criminal and tightened economic, commercial and financial blockade to which they have been subjected for more than 60 years and demands that the US government removes Cuba from the spurious ‘State Sponsors of Terrorism’ list.“

Addressing the meeting on behalf of the Workers Party, International Secretary, Gerry Grainger spoke of the war in Ukraine and of the ”…serious danger of a more generalised military confrontation given the clamour for escalation by the EU, NATO and the US’

Turning to matters at home he said, “Thousands of people in Ireland are living in poverty and many of those are the so-called “working poor” unable to live and feed their families although in employment. Women, in particular, often have to work in low-paid precarious jobs. Single parents, predominantly women, face some of the  highest childcare costs in Europe.

“Our society is characterised by massive and pervasive social and economic inequality, exploitation and oppression, with massive inequality in wealth between the working class and those who own and control society’s economic resources”, he said.

“Housing, health, education and social services are under attack.  Work is low paid, precarious and casualised. Wages are in decline. The cost-of-living crisis continues to escalate. The gains and achievements fought for and attained by workers over generations are being undermined and reversed”, Gerry concluded 

.  

Assembly Election is No Solution

Posted on by
Reply

An Assembly election will not resolve the current situation. It will only further polarise the community with both Sinn Fein and the DUP mounting yet another divisive, sectarian and diversionary campaign.

There should, of course, be an immediate restoration of devolution, the election of a Speaker and First and Deputy First Ministers, and the return of a fully functioning Executive.

In its chequered twenty year ‘on/off’ history the Assembly has been responsible for very little social, economic or political progress. But, the importance of a devolved administration is that it allows the major parties to be scrutinised and held to account, and, in progressive hands holds out the possibility of at least alleviating some of the hardships currently being experienced.

Neither a continued boycotting of the Executive, nor spending £6 million on an unnecessary election will do either.

The priorities for working people are the the cost of living, austerity, cuts to services and benefits, lack of child care, low paid, part time, precarious employment, housing shortages and rapidly rising heating bills. What this election will guarantee is that all the major parties will happily side line those concerns in favour of sterile sectarian power struggles.

Assembly Election – Groundhog Day

Posted on by
Reply

What exactly would an Assembly election in December resolve?

There should, of course, be an immediate restoration of devolution, the election of a Speaker and First and Deputy First Ministers, and the return of a fully functioning Executive.

That can only be done if the DUP returns to Stormont.

The Realpolitik, then, is that the DUP is not going to return until there is significant and fundamental movement on the Northern Ireland Protocol. They remain as adamant on that as Sinn Fein was on its demands when they collapsed the Executive for three years between January 2017 and January 2020.

The DUP will refuse to participate in a new Executive for precisely the same reasons that they are abstaining now.

Technically, and legally, the Secretary of State is required to call another election if, six months after an election, no Executive has been formed. The DUP will refuse to participate in a new Executive for precisely the same reasons that they are abstaining now.

A December election will not resolve that situation and , arguably, will further polarise the community as both Sinn Fein and the DUP mount yet another divisive, sectarian and diversionary campaign.

We will end up in the same place we started but with the real issues effecting working people – the cost of living, austerity, cuts to services and benefits, lack of child care, low paid, part time, precarious employment, housing shortages and rapidly rising heating bills all side lined by their sectarian power struggles.

A restored Assembly will not address, let alone resolve, the major problems facing this community. In its chequered twenty year ‘on/off’ history it has been responsible for very little social, economic or political progress. The importance of a devolved administration is that it allows the major parties to be scrutinised and held to account, and, in progressive hands holds out the possibility of at least alleviating some of the hardships currently being experienced.

Neither a continued boycotting of the Executive, nor spending £6 million on an unnecessary election will do either.

May Blood

Posted on by
Reply

The Workers Party has expressed its condolences to the family circle and friends of May Blood who has passed away aged 84.

May was a life-long member, and active supporter of, the trade union movement, a tireless and vocal advocate for integrated education and a champion of better living and working conditions for working people.

May Blood was a humanitarian, a progressive campaigner and a social reformer. Her energy, drive and, most of all, her commitment to improving the lives of working people regardless of their creed, colour or gender, should serve as an example to us all .

She will be sadly missed.

Working Class priorities remain the same

Posted on by
Reply

Working people will not lose any sleep over the resignation of Liz Truss. Who the leader of the Tory Party is way less important than the policies they pursue.

We have seen in the past six weeks that the Conservative party is determined to appease the financial markets, cut benefits, privatise public services and follow an immigration policy that will  build ‘Fortress Britain’.

Irrespective of who sits in Downing Street, Stormont or the Dail, the subjugation and exploitation of working people will remain their political priority, until working people finally take control of their own destiny. 

‘Publish Health Plans Now’

Posted on by
Reply

The news that Daisy Hill Hospital is to provide regional elective surgery services has been welcomed by Workers Party spokesperson Nicola Grant, but she has also called for immediate clarification on the future of general surgery at the hospital.

“While today’s announcement, of a planned surgery hub, secures the future of Daisy Hill Hospital and hopefully attracts further regional specialities to the area there remains a very serious question mark over the future of general surgery services, suspended at the start if the year and ‘ temporarily ‘ transferred to Craigavon” Nicola said.

She also called on the Health Minister to publish the overall plan for the future of health and care services arguing that the drip feeding of information and announcements in installments is undermining public and staff confidence.

“Let’s see the full set of plans now”, Nicola said ” and allow the public and health and care staff to evaluate them in the round”.

Housing Executive must lead on hostel accommodation

Posted on by
Reply

Hostel accommodation, and support, for homeless women should be provided for by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. Currently there is no permanent facility anywhere in Northern Ireland.

Belfast’s Regina Coeli hostel, which had been run by the Legion of Mary, closed in January of this year and no alternative service has been provided.

The Workers Party has contacted the Department for the Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive demanding not only a commitment to open a new hostel facility but also transparency in the process.

The DfC has said that a ‘preferred provider’ has been identified and that negotiations are on-going. But they refuse to name that potential provider – most likely a local charity – because they say the information is commercial confident.

Homeless hostel accommodation should be provided directly by the NIHE. No matter how good a charitable organisation is, the statutory responsibility to provide the service rests with the NIHE. The former hostel staff, with their wealth of experience are also the best placed group of people run a new hostel.

The lack of women only accommodation is not a simple administrative matter. Health, well-being and lives are at stake. The Housing Executive, supported by health social services and mental health services, must step up immediately, assume responsibility and provide a first class ssrvice wioth first class staff.

Picture: Workers Party members suporting the Regina Coeli staff last year

90th Anniversary of the Outdoor Relief Scheme

Posted on by
Reply

90 Years Since the Outdoor Relief Strike: History Repeated?

October marks the 90th anniversary of the Outdoor Relief Strike, a struggle that brought about the momentary unity of the working class across Belfast. Join the Belfast Trades Council as we reflect on the history and legacy of the ODR Strikes, and explore some of the parallels with the crisis of modern capitalism. 

Speakers:

Seán Mitchell – Author of Struggle or Starve: Working-Class Unity in 1932

Seán Byers – Trademark Belfast

Lynda Walker – Belfast & District Trades Union Council

Date: Wednesday 26 October

Time: 7pm 

Location: ICTU Offices, 4-6 Donegall Street, Belfast BT1 2FN

Light refreshments will be provided. 

Contact: belfasttradescouncil@hotmail.co.uk

Please register via:

Register on Eventbrite

Mother and Baby Mental Health Unit

Posted on by
Reply

On World Mental Health Day the Workers Party has voiced its support for the campaign to establish a mother and baby in patient mental health unit.

England, Scotland and Wales all have dedicated in-patient services for women with serious post-partum mental health issues. In the Republic of Ireland a unit is schefuled to be operational by 2024.  

The units allow mothers to be with their babies during treatement and care.

Around 70 women a year in Northern Ireland are admitted to general hosital wards with post-partum psychosis. Postpartum psychosis is a serious mental health illness that can affect someone soon after having a baby. It affects around 1 in 500 mothers after giving birth.

World Mental Health Day link

https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2022