MP strongly opposes layoffs
The Member of Parliament for the country’s biggest electorate, Tupapa Maraerenga, George Magee Angene has come out strongly in support of the five Cook Islands Investment Corporation staff who have been sent home from their jobs.
Magee told the Times on Thursday morning that three of the men live in his electorate and that as their MP, he is not happy about it. He wants government to re-consider the matter.
Magee said all five and their families are fearful for their future and puts to the Prime Minister and Cabinet this question: “How would you feel if I came and told you to pack up from your job and go home?”
He accused the Cabinet of having no feelings, no love, no honesty.
The Times understands that the workers were sent home as there was no work for them. However, they remain on full pay. The Times also understands that the eventual restructuring of the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) means that it will no longer retain its own team of builders and maintenance staff to carry out work and repairs on buildings under the CIIC umbrella. Instead, this work will be contracted out.
Therefore staff currently carrying out this work will be “transitioned” into contracting roles whereby the CIIC will contract them as private providers to carry out work for the CIIC.
These details are still to be worked out.
This concept had been raised in the recent ADB conducted Review of the Public Service and the Prime Minister had gone on record as saying no-one was to lose their job.
The staff, will have good cause to be concerned if this concept is adopted. Just how long the CIIC would be able to contract their services for is not known at this stage. Work above a certain cost has by law to be tendered out and in this regard the five would have to contest for the work along with other private sector contractors.
There is also the matter of equipping the staff so as to enable them to undertake the work they are contracted to do. For example, they will need tools and vehicles. There is the cost of insurance.
George Magee is angered that the five have not been given concrete assurances about their future. He said there are potentially five families who stand to lose their jobs. Who will feed them asked Magee.
Government was voted in by people like these five said Magee. He said government wanted people to return home from overseas to work now government is laying people off. This sends the wrong message to our people overseas said Magee.
Magee is also concerned that this could be the start of more layoffs. It won’t stop here he predicted.
Magee said he will keep fighting. “I’m not paid to stay silent,” said Magee, “I’m here to speak up for the people.” -Charles Pitt

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