Louth Labour TD tells PayPal executives to identify alternatives to redundancies

Labour’s enterprise spokesperson, Louth TD Deputy Ged Nash has said that PayPal executives need to identify alternatives to redundancies, following the news on Thursday that PayPal is looking to reduce its workforce in Ireland by up to 205 jobs, affecting staff in both Dundalk and Dublin.

Deputy Nash said that he spoke with PayPal Executives on Thursday afternoon as the company has revealed it is considering letting 205 staff across their remote working (Dundalk) and Blanchardstown operations go, with the Louth TD adding that this latest development comes on top of a spate of redundancies across the business in Ireland in recent years.

In a statement yesterday, Deputy Nash said "The devastating news of the loss of up to 205 jobs across PayPal in Ireland is a tremendous blow to the workers and families. Workers at the payments firm have restructuring fatigue, having been subjected to a number of rounds of job losses in the last two to three years.

“We know under the law on collective redundancies their plans should be treated as a proposal and not a final decision as the consultation process with staff has yet to get underway. I made my expectations of the company and its conducting of the statutory redundancy consultation process gets underway, crystal clear.

“I requested directly that the company executives seek to identify potential cost savings and redeployment as an alternative to the nuclear option of redundancies in the first instance. The proposed redundancy being contemplated should not be a done deal and neither should the 28-day formal consultation be treated as a token process by the company.

“PayPal must recognise the human impact of these decisions and engage with staff representatives in a meaningful and constructive manner. It is imperative that the concerns and well-being of the affected workers and their families are placed at the forefront of any discussions or decisions made by PayPal regarding these potential job losses.

"If redundancies are to proceed this will be a major blow for Dundalk especially and the entire Louth region. This announcement not only impacts the livelihoods of the workers directly employed at the plant but also has a ripple effect on their families and wider community. My office is open and ready for any workers should they need assistance at this difficult time.”