Shatter considers extending laws on labour abuses

THE forced labour of workers and immigrants is under scrutiny as Justice Minister Alan Shatter considers laws to criminalise abuses.

Officials in the trafficking unit of his department are analysing cases including the alleged mistreatment of domestic servants by some embassies, as well as coerced and organised begging on streets among the Roma community.

Forced labour is not a specific criminal offence and Mr Shatter will decide whether to extend legislation to cover exploitative behaviours.