Human rights organisation Amnesty International Ireland has announced temporary layoffs due to what it described as a temporary cash flow crisis.
Layoffs and reduced working hours will come into effect from 6 September and will impact 11 of the NGO’s 29 staff.
“It is with great regret that Amnesty International Ireland has made the difficult decision to place a number of staff on a temporary layoff,” Amnesty said in a statement.
“This decision has not been taken lightly and, due to a temporary cash flow crisis, is immediate in nature,” it said.
“The temporary layoffs are part of a significant programme of transformation that has been adopted to secure the future of the human rights organisation here in Ireland,” it added.
SIPTU has called on the Board of Amnesty International Ireland to use every means at its disposal to work to secure the employment of its staff.
“Last year, our members took a 10% cut to their hours of work and their salaries as part of a recovery plan but this was not enough to meet the shortfall in finances,” said SIPTU Organiser Karen Smollen.
“Our members are devastated by the layoff announcement, particularly the short notice given, while they struggle to make ends meet,” Ms Smollen said.