Non-EU nationals work longer hours for less pay than Irish
The report, compiled for the European Migration Network (EMN) by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), questioned why non-EU nationals are over-represented in low-paying sectors and occupations.
The EMN, in a series of four reports, yesterday called for more research into why non-nationals work longer hours and suggested employers could easily abuse the employment rights of immigrants.
The reports also suggested immigrant workers show a “greater willingness” to work long hours - a characteristic which makes them attractive to companies.
“Employers may acquire a preference for foreign workers because of their willingness to accept lower wages and poorer working conditions. If this happens, a slackening in the labour market may have very little effect on employers’ demand for foreign workers,” the report said.
Yesterday’s reports were also critical of the response by political parties and the media to increased immigration, saying that examples of “irresponsible journalism were widespread.”
“Headlines described ‘floods’ of ‘bogus asylum seekers’, ‘scroungers’ and ‘economic migrants’... in order to appeal to a perceived popular fear regarding non-nationals. The ultimate aim is obviously to increase market share,” the report said.
Political parties were also criticised for not engaging enough with the needs of immigrants despite their eligibility to vote in local elections.
“A majority of black and ethnic minorities do not believe that local political representatives adequately represent their interests,” the reports concluded.
Isolation, as immigrants fail to be assimilated into local communities, also featured as an area of concern requiring further research.
One research project featured in yesterday’s reports found only 23% of immigrants had weekly contact with Irish people while 29% of respondents claimed to have no regular social outlet at all.
Emma Quinn, co-author of the EMN reports, said policy makers needed to accept immigration and learn to deal with it properly for the benefit of the labour market and society.
“The most tangible way that will happen is through new legislation. Immigration is mainly administration-based and a new coherent act is what is needed,” she said.
Itayi Viriri of the Immigrants Council of Ireland said a two-pronged approach, allowing asylum-seekers to work while encouraging better recognition of immigrants’ qualifications, was needed.
“More understanding will make these people feel at home. When you think of the time and money used trying to scour Europe and the rest of the world to get talented people when you have them under your nose, that’s what should be rectified,” he said.
