Immigrant groups pressure Harney on work permit promise

IMMIGRANT groups yesterday called on Tánaiste Mary Harney to explain exactly how she intends to live up to a promise to give new work permits to exploited workers when no such Government decision has been made.

Speaking on Dublin’s Newstalk radio yesterday, Ms Harney promised to give new work permits to any immigrants being exploited by their current employer in Ireland.

“If there are people out there who are currently unhappy because the pay and conditions or the terms under which they came are not being fulfilled, if they contact my department we will give them a permit to work elsewhere.