Plea to stamp out racism in workplace

Racism and exploitation of foreign employees must be faced down in workplaces across the country, it was claimed today.

Anton McCabe, project co-ordinator of SIPTU’s Anti-Racism Group, said Ireland’s transition to a multicultural society was being hampered by ruthless bosses.

“Most of our economic migrants are working in employments which have no tradition of trade union organisation,” he said.

“The abuse of such workers by greedy employers – who take advantage of the fact that there are not enough Labour Inspectors to investigate reported cases of exploitation – threatens our ability to move to a multicultural society.”

Mr McCabe said Ireland is now a country of immigration and something had to be done to protect people who are coming from all over the world to take up employment or to seek asylum.

“Many of our workplaces are much more culturally diverse than they were just a few short years ago,” he said.

“There is a wider variety of languages, religions, music and culture making up the image and culture of what it means to be Irish.

“Integrating people from diverse cultural backgrounds into the workplace and into society is a challenge which requires changing attitudes, and new skills.

“We need to manage this cultural transition – both in the workplace and in society – if we are to achieve a diverse and pluralist society.”

Mr McCabe said new initiatives were needed in education, training, central and local government, industrial relations/and human resource management.

“There is also an increasing need for more workplace supports such as literacy and language training, proper information about legal or regulatory rights and access to the Labour Relations Commission or Labour Court,” he added.

Mr McCabe was speaking at the launch of a joint publication aimed at informing migrant workers where they can get information on employment and social rights.

The leaflet was funded and supported by Comhairle and SIPTU – Ireland’s largest trade union – and was launched by journalist and broadcaster Olivia O’Leary in the Mansion House, Dublin.

SIPTU intends to launch the leaflet in every town/city in Ireland where there is a Citizens Information Centre and/or a SIPTU branch.