"Any company that dumped permanent staff and replaced them with casual, non-unionised labour would rightly face criticism from Oxfam"
A trade union has launched a campaign against job cuts and outsourcing at one of the country’s most hight profile charities.
Unite is fighting back against what it says are Oxfam’s plans to make staff redundant and replace them with casual and agency labour.
The union said the outsourcing targets workers in the charity's publishing team – which manages the production of globally respected research and reports – and its training team, who develop staff skills.
Workers fear more roles could be targeted if Oxfam decides that outsourcing is acceptable.
The outsourcing is part of a wider redundancy programme, which will see the NGO cut 265 jobs.
Unite says Oxfam's plan means replacing secure jobs with casual work, meaning that staff are being made redundant – but their work will continue to be undertaken.
The union says the charity is proposing the work will now be done by outside agencies or casual staff, without a business case being made for this to workers.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Any company that dumped its permanent staff and replaced them with casual, non-unionised labour would rightly face criticism from Oxfam.
"Yet that is exactly what Oxfam is planning for its own workers. Oxfam must remember what it stands for. Unite is committed to fully protect jobs in a charity that should know better."
The proposals are currently at consultation stage and has launched a petition on outsourcing as the first step in a wider campaign by the union to pressure Oxfam to roll back the entire redundancy programme and save as many jobs as possible.
Regional coordinating officer Jamie Major said: "There are two things at stake. Firstly, outsourcing creates a two-tier workforce and flies in the face of Oxfam's mission to fight poverty. Secondly, Unite believes that this will set a precedent for other roles in the organisation.
“We’re calling on all staff and supporters to sign our petition demanding Oxfam keep these jobs in-house. The more people who sign, the stronger our voice will be."
The petition can be signed here.
An Oxfam GB spokesperson said: "We have seen Unite's petition about outsourcing and we are engaging directly with them on this. These proposals are about strengthening Oxfam's financial position to ensure we are able to operate effectively into the future.
"We are not preparing to outsource in-house roles to replace them with casual labour. For relevant services, we will continue to bring in short-term, specialist expertise. This approach has long been part of how we work and helps us respond flexibly and efficiently to the needs of our in-house teams.
"We recognise that outsourcing can raise concerns, especially given Oxfam’s own public stance on practices that undermine wages or workers’ rights. These proposals do not go against that position; we will always uphold our commitment to ethical and fair working practices.
"We’re committed to meaningful consultation and open conversation, and we’ll continue to engage constructively as the process moves forward."
