07/11/2019

Fórsa To Advocate For The Traveller Community

The Fórsa trade union is set to highlight the issues faced by the travelling community in an upcoming event.

The Traveller Equality Network will be formally launched by Mayor of Sligo Gino O'Boyle at an event on Saturday.

Fórsa official Lisa Connell explained: "The purpose of the event is to highlight many of the issues that affect the Traveller community in the workplace, including the depth of structural inequalities facing Travellers from accessing the workplace, as well as socio-economic rights and a focus on public policy provisions.

"We're looking forward to welcoming Fórsa members and Traveller community representatives to meet and discuss these issues," Ms Connell added.

Speakers on the day include James O'Leary, CEO of INVOLVE, Martin Ward of the Galway Traveller Movement and Bernadette Maughan of the Sligo Traveller Support Group.

The launch of the Traveller Network follows on from the creation of Fórsa Equality Committee networks for women activists and people with disabilities.

The event will take place this Saturday, 09 November, at 11am in Sligo Town Hall.

Following registration at 10.30am, the event programme is as follows:

• 11am: Formal opening by Mayor of Sligo Gino O'Boyle

• 11.15am: Keynote: Andy Pike, Head of Education, Fórsa trade

• 12.15pm – 12.45pm: Ann McGee, Fórsa President; James O’Leary, CEO Involve

• 12.45pm – 1.30pm: Lunch

• 1.30pm – 2.45pm: Martin Ward, Galway Traveller Network; Bernadette Maughan, Sligo Traveller Support Group; chaired by Ann McGee, President of Fórsa

• 2.45pm: Closing comments by Margaret Coughlan, Chair of Fórsa's Equality Committee.



(JG/CM)


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