More than 60 temporary Housing Executive staff in Northern Ireland have lost their jobs in recent
weeks because of budget cuts, it was claimed today.
Industrial action could follow after public service union NIPSA said no arrangement has been made to cover the work.
A protest is to be held outside a meeting of the Executive's management in Belfast tomorrow amid workers' claims that up to 400 posts could go in total.
NIPSA general secretary John Corey said: "If new social housing is to be provided, homeless people to be found homes and the standard of the Housing Executive stock to be brought to the decent homes standard, cutting the
workforce by 15 per cent is totally unacceptable and will deepen the housing crisis."
The Executive could lose some of its functions to the 11 so-called local "super councils" when they are established in 2011.
The number of quangos and public bodies is to be slashed under the plan and some minor housing roles have been earmarked for the enhanced local authorities.
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie wants to build at least 5,250 new homes over three years, although this is mainly the responsibility of housing associations.
The co-ownership scheme for helping those on low incomes onto the property ladder has already said it will not accept new applications because of lack of money.
A spokesman for the Housing Executive said services across Northern Ireland were having to find efficiency savings.
"The Executive is expected to make reductions in our staffing budget but we have consulted with NIPSA over this.
"Most of those who have left were on 13-week contracts as they have been the first people affected."
PA