Unfair working conditions to be investigated

Inspectors from the Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment are set to carry out random checks on businesses throughout the country in the coming month.

They are checking to ensure workers are being treated fairly.

The move is being made following concerns for the treatment of migrant workers, who are working for low wages and long hours.

The businesses that will be targeted will include hotels, meat plants and agricultural operations.

The authorities have received many complaints of low pay, long hours and dangerous conditions from workers and unions and they intend to combat this by issuing detailed employment rights information with each work permit.