Ministers and new jobs

yahoo_moe

Batt O'Keeffe made some comments today as he "officially announced 31 new jobs at aluminium products manufacturer Architectural and Metal Systems" (link). This seems to happen every few weeks but I don't really understand it.

I mean, I get the politics of it all from the Government's point of view... but what's the process for employers? Are they Government supporters or how do they end up with a Minister announcing their new hires? Is it just for publicity?

There's no mention of any subsidy/grant funding the jobs so I assume they don't have to be involved...

OhNoYouDidn't

yahoo_moe wrote: »

Batt O'Keeffe made some comments today as he "officially announced 31 new jobs at aluminium products manufacturer Architectural and Metal Systems" (link). This seems to happen every few weeks but I don't really understand it.

I mean, I get the politics of it all from the Government's point of view... but what's the process for employers? Are they Government supporters or how do they end up with a Minister announcing their new hires? Is it just for publicity?

There's no mention of any subsidy/grant funding the jobs so I assume they don't have to be involved...

Minister wants a photo op, company wants the publicity, win win.

mikemac

Free publicity.

If you were opening a business with say 15 new jobs you might want your name in the paper and on local radio.

Invite along the local minister if there is one in your area and you'll get coverages, and they love doing this sort of thing.

goose2005

A lot of the job numbers are inflated. 31 probably means "12 now, maybe a few more in a year or two". Still, it shows how bad things are that a Cabinet minister shows up for a mere thirty-one jobs. No mention for the 31,000 people who lost their jobs in August alone... (http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0901/breaking27.html)

Coillte_Bhoy

goose2005 wrote: »

No mention for the 31,000 people who lost their jobs in August alone... (http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0901/breaking27.html)

What???? 31,000 people did not lose their jobs in August:rolleyes:

yahoo_moe

Not even close. I presume it was a (pretty drastic) misreading of this line:

In the year to August 2010 the number of Irish nationals on the Live Register increased by 31,025 or 8.7 per cent

Brussels Sprout

A few years ago I worked for a company who were expanding by leasing out an additional premises in the business park which our existing office was on. Next thing the RTE new is announcing that the company was creating 150 new jobs and we had the county lord mayor and some local TD there for the opening. As it turned out this was 2007 and an engineering consultancy so not only were those jobs not created but the company has since vacated the new building and is on the verge of bankruptcy.

Cookie_Monster

Its funny, the company I work for has hired over 100 people this year so far, but you never ever here an announcement, nor would they want any publicity due to the nature of the business.

yahoo_moe

Brussels Sprout wrote: »

not only were those jobs not created but the company has since vacated the new building and is on the verge of bankruptcy.

I'd say a follow-up story on jobs announcements made in '07 would make for very interesting reading today.

Its funny, the company I work for has hired over 100 people this year so far, but you never ever here an announcement, nor would they want any publicity due to the nature of the business.

Online gambling? Presumably you're not going to say but you've got me intrigued

goose2005

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Its funny, the company I work for has hired over 100 people this year so far, but you never ever here an announcement, nor would they want any publicity due to the nature of the business.

brothel?

Macha

If they're going to be blamed for every job loss, they might as well try to get credit for every job announcement. It works both ways.

PeterIanStaker

To me its the equivalent of filling a holed bucket with a teaspoon.