If there were an award for the biggest all-round purveyor of economic destruction, Dell would surely be on the shortlist. And what’s worse, it is just six weeks since Dell won a MAMA Award for its contribution to promoting diversity in Ireland!
The firm’s closure of its manufacturing plant in Limerick must cause consternation for those who decided that Dell was a company delivering good practice. After all, good practice is about sustainability and mainstreaming innovative practices. But whatever practices Dell might have developed, there is no sustainability of those practices in an empty warehouse.
Dell was even invited to give company presentations by various State agencies on good company practice. This is perplexing, given that the real experience inside the company in Ireland was hostility to its staff, low pay and non-recognition of trade unions. Yet Dell continued to gain credibility for promoting good intercultural practice.
The company’s diversity programme manager stated only last November that they prefer to talk about diversity as opposed to racism – the positive over the negative. This is a view commonly expressed by those who are either unaware or do not want to deal with the reality of racism.
Dell was complimented for all its positive practices by people in safe jobs or others perhaps with different agendas to push, yet the reality is that they are a profitable company paying barely over the statutory minimum redundancy, which is largely subsidised by the taxpayer.
When looking at good intercultural practices, there are plenty of great examples to note. And in providing recognition, it is important that those we recognise are credible and genuine. But as Dell prepares to pack its bags and leave empty warehouses in search of cheaper labour in eastern Europe and Asia, will there be a reflection on the part of those who gave them credibility for their supposed social contribution, and will Metro Éireann consider withdrawing the award?
Garrett Mullan
Balbriggan, Co Dublin
