SFA calls for revamp of immigration laws

THE Small Firms Association (SFA) has called for comprehensive revamp of Ireland's immigration policy.

"After five years of significant immigration and fairly ad-hoc immigration policy-making, it is now time for the Government to develop a comprehensive policy that is fair to all," said SFA assistant director Patricia Callan.

She called on the Government to recognise the key contribution that immigrants have made to the development of the Irish economy.

"The ongoing indecisiveness on the part of the Government with regard to immigration policy has led to wide-scale confusion for employers," she said.

She said decisions should be made quickly on such basic issues as:

Who should be allowed come to reside in Ireland.

Whether a quota system or a system of direct labour market needs should form the basis of deciding how many should be admitted.

Clarification on what entitlements immigrants should have.

The development of an efficient, customer-focused, procedural process.

The streamlining of administrative arrangements for immigrants in obtaining PPS numbers and bank accounts and dealing with taxation and contractual issues.

Ms Callan said: "A multitude of recent economic reports have concurred that labour market shortages will be the key constraint on business growth and overall competitiveness in 2005."

"In the last economic boom, demand for labour was met predominantly by a reservoir of unemployed people and returning Irish immigrants. Despite the recent tougher economic climate, unemployment has not increased, and thus we will be even more dependent on attracting migrant workers in the years ahead," Ms Callan said.

Between 1996 and 2000, employment in Ireland increased from 1.1 million people to 1.9m.

Average employment grew by 70,000 per annum, of which only 20,000 came from foreign immigrants.

"Over the last four years, there has been a substantial increase in the need to recruit non-EU nationals to fill labour market shortages," said Ms Callan.

In 1999, 6,250 work permits were issued, with this number increasing to 18,000 in 2000, to 36,500 in 2001 and to 40,300 in 2002. In 2003 numbers hit an all-time high of 47,500 (an increase of over 700% over the period).

"Despite the granting of an automatic right to work to citizens of the 10 EU accession states, with effect from May 1, 2004, the number of work permits issued to the end November 2004 is still high at 32,170," said Ms Callan.

"Many small employers, already struggling to recruit staff have seen average wage increases of 8% over the past 12 months. This is unsustainable in the long-term.

"Our economy has grown substantially over the last number of years, and Irish people must be willing to share the spoils with those who have contributed so much to this economic development," she said.

"Despite the fact that the Government's extensive public consultation process on immigration policy concluded over three years ago, nothing has been done to implement its findings," said Ms Callan.