Stalker was in general agreement with a correspondent since last month on the subject of job creation.
The correspondent, who styled himself as Pedantic Pat, was querying the media reports involving the number of jobs “ created” by the new venture of Monaghan Mushrooms at Tyholland.
The correspondent wrote: - “Just reading your August edition of the Mushroom people - I refer to the article on page 10: Tyholland mushroom facility creates 150 jobs.
Just for reference let’s look at a definition for the word "create” – verb (used with object) 1. to cause to come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is not made by ordinary processes.
Pardon me for being a 'pedantic Pat', but does this article headline fairly reflect the actual process and chain of events as to how Monaghan procured their staffing quotas for the new facility. Jobs were uprooted from Mayo and moved to Tyholland by virtue of closing 2 mushroom facilities in Mayo.
Would / should the description of 'new jobs' apply to these positions, when simply put, a relocation has taken place? It’s not my intention to 'rain on anyone’s parade', but equally what use is served when factually inaccurate reports mask or obscure the real story here, which is a devastating loss of jobs to one of Ireland's poorest regions.”
Fair comment there from not-so-pedantic Pat one would have to say.
The numbers game of job creation and job destruction is one that is no doubt highly sensitive at the moment given the parlous state of the economy.
