New EU states comprise 30% of horticulture workers
The industry employs over 18,500 people full-time across the food and gardening sectors and is the country’s third largest agricultural enterprise. Current estimates indicate that four in every 10 horticultural workers employed at primary production level are from outside Ireland.
To coincide with EU enlargement, Bord Glas and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) have compiled a guide to promote health and safety awareness. Bord Glas chief executive Michael Maloney said the joint initiative recognises the multicultural nature of the Irish horticultural workforce. The guide is available in English, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish and Russian and can be seen on www.bordglas.ie and www.hsa.ie.
