Tuesday, 26 March 2024
    05
    May
    050520

    Oxfam slashes staff

    Oxfam Australia is preparing to cut close to half of its workforce, citing financial difficulties stemming from years of reduced fundraising income and a “persistent decline in overseas aid budget” well before the coronavirus pandemic hit, The Guardian reports.

    Oxfam sends aid around the world, including funding work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia and fair trade producers in 18 countries.

    Guardian Australia has confirmed that discussions have begun with staff and Oxfam had decided to redesign the organisation.

    The charity is planning to reduce the number of full-time staff from 185 to 94 between now and October.

    Oxfam Australia chief executive Lyn Morgain said it was an “exceptionally challenging financial environment”, with the charity having a reduction in donations during the summer bushfires in Australia, leading into the coronavirus pandemic.

    “Oxfam Australia entered the coronavirus crisis in a weakened financial position because of multiple factors that are impacting on the sector, including the fallout from the Australian bushfires, several years of reduced fundraising income and a persistent decline in the overseas aid budget,” she said in a statement.

    “Oxfam’s life-saving work is needed now more than ever to respond to the coronavirus and multiple other crises that threaten to increase the number of people living in poverty and exacerbate inequality.

    “But at the same time, the economic downturn caused by the pandemic has underscored the urgent need for changes that were already under way at Oxfam.”

    Final decisions about the roles are yet to be made, with staff consultations under way, but Morgain said in order to be financially stable, Oxfam needed to reduce costs.

    FULL STORY

    Oxfam to cut half its Australian workforce as coronavirus inflames existing woes (The Guardian)

    IMAGE

    Oxfam