Trade union Unite is holding protests today at Oxfam’s London, Manchester and Oxford offices against the charity’s redundancy and outsourcing proposals.
The union has accused the international development charity of planning to replace its staff with “casual, non-unionised labour” and said its members employed by Oxfam fear more roles could be targeted if the charity decides that outsourcing is acceptable.
An Oxfam spokesperson denied it is replacing in-house roles with non-unionised labour and said the charity supports the right to protest as well as union rights.
Unite shop steward and Oxfam worker Amit Srivastava, who is protesting at Oxfam’s Oxford office, told Civil Society: “It’s clear that the outsourcing plan is a mistake.
“We stand here today to ask Oxfam to think again and come up with a proposal that fits with Oxfam values and its principled commitment to decent jobs and workers’ rights.”
Proposals to outsource roles
Oxfam announced in April that 265 jobs within the organisation were at risk of redundancy as part of its effort to save £10.2m per year in salary costs.
It had recorded three annual deficits over the past five financial years, including a £28.4m shortfall for the financial year ending March 2024.
In a statement this week, Unite said: “Despite [Oxfam’s] comments to external media that it is ‘not preparing to outsource in-house roles’, Oxfam has stated clearly in writing to Unite members that staff will be made redundant and their work outsourced.”
Oxfam previously denied plans to outsource roles but Civil Society has now seen a partly-redacted internal document, which states that the charity “will seek to outsource our publishing to give us more agility, whilst maintaining current standards, but at lower cost than maintaining overhead in the UK”.
It also proposes “a shift towards outsourcing some elements” of learning, talent and engagement as well as learning and organisational development.
Commenting on the document, an Oxfam spokesperson told Civil Society: “The statements are drawn from the proposals which we have collectively been working through with colleagues and unions.
“We actively welcome alternative proposals which will help us meet our savings targets.
“Formal collective consultation has been extended until 1 July.”
Oxfam: Not about using ‘non-unionised casual labour’
On the protests, Oxfam’s spokesperson added: “These restructuring proposals are to secure our financial future, not about a policy to replace in-house roles with non-unionised casual labour.
“Where our capacity is reduced, if we use short-term specialist expertise, it will be in accordance with our labour rights standards and our values.
“Like other charities, we have to make difficult decisions regarding our wage bill, so we can continue to respond to crises around the world.”
Unite’s regional coordinating officer Jamie Major said: “We are calling on members and supporters to join us at these protests, as well as to keep sharing and signing our petition against Oxfam's proposals.
“The plans undermine workers’ rights and flies in the face of Oxfam values and previous messaging. We are determined to keep fighting to save jobs at Oxfam.”
Editor's note: This article has been updated after Oxfam corrected its consultation end date.
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