Labour inspectors investigate treatment of foreign workers

The Government’s Labour Inspectorate is reportedly investigating more than 300 cases of suspected exploitation and mistreatment of workers this year, the majority involving foreign immigrants.

Reports this morning said 117 of the cases under investigation related to the hotel sector, while 85 were in the catering sector, 71 in retail grocery, 44 in security and 17 in agriculture.

The allegations being examined include claims that employers are not paying pre-arranged wage rates and that workers are being paid less than the minimum wage and being subjected to excessive working hours.

Other complaints include illegal deductions from wage packets and the non-payment of overtime or holiday pay.

This morning’s reports said almost 4,000 workplace inspections were undertaken last year, resulting in 12 prosecutions. This compares to 7,000 inspections and 20 successful prosecutions in 2003.

The Labour Inspectorate has blamed the fall on work commitments associated with Ireland’s presidency of the European Union.

However, SIPTU has expressed anger with the situation, saying the low number of inspections meant employers would continue to exploit immigrant workers.