SDLP Foyleside Councillor Mary Durkan
But she said that there are significant gaps in the contents of the plan and more targeted support for vulnerable sectors is essential for economic recovery.
“A few weeks ago our Council agreed to write to the British Government calling for an extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme beyond the 31 October.
“Trade unions, employers, business leaders and economists were making incessant calls for the avoidance of the furlough cliff-edge. These calls simply could not be ignored.
“Thankfully the Winter Economy Plan indicates a step back from that cliff-edge.
“The full details of the outworking of the proposed job support scheme operating until April 2021 are not known yet.
“The scheme will certainly allow some breathing space for many workers and employers, protecting jobs and ensuring viability.
“However, these protections will not extend to workers and employers across the board.”
“Six months is not long enough to properly stabilise our economy, especially in a region as vulnerable as Derry and North West.
“This part of the world faces the added cliff-edge of Brexit and all that uncertainty against a background of decades of chronic neglect.”
Miss Durkan added: “Our hospitality, retail and tourism sectors are crying out for sector-specific support, having already seen unavoidable job losses.
“Further, we have also seen opportunistic redundancies amid the uncertainty, chaos and lack of clear government direction.”
The Foyleside councillor also pointed to the ongoing uncertainty for those working in creative industries and live events sector.
“It is estimated that at least 7,500 jobs in the live events industry are at stake- including sound engineers, lighting technicians, costume designers, photographers, tour managers, event planners and caterers.
“In Derry and Strabane anchor events such as Halloween and the Jazz Festival and live music are key economic drivers, generating footfall and bringing trade to our city-centre and night-time economy.”
Miss Durkan concluded: “We have to keep banging the drum for those sectors, organisations and freelancers who are falling between the cracks and continue to be overlooked.
“We cannot afford for skillsets to be lost and wasted. We cannot ignore the impact on families.
“We have to stand up for the rights of workers. We need investment in apprenticeships in new green energy schemes in the longer term.
“In the immediate term, we need a fast and reliable test and trace system and enforcement to ensure workplaces are safe.”
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