NI employers urged to protect migrant workers

Bosses in the North who employ migrant workers have responsibilities which stretch beyond the workplace, they were told today.

Employers must make their staff aware of their rights in areas such as medical and social services, Equality Commission chief commissioner, Dame Joan Harbison told them.

She was speaking to over 200 delegates at a major conference in Belfast organised by the Commission in partnership with Opportunity New – the diversity campaign for Business in the Community.

The conference was arranged with the aim of raising awareness of best practice among employers who employ migrant workers and signpost them to key service providers in the public and private sector who can meet the specific needs of migrant workers.

Harbison said: “Complex challenges accompany the growth in the migrant workforce here.

"Migrant workers can be isolated and disadvantaged by language differences and unfamiliarity with local services.

“This conference gives employers the opportunity to hear the experiences of others and learn from best practice.”

Representatives from the health, housing, banking, education, immigration and social security areas attended the conference to offer advice on the employment of migrant workers.

Denise Cranston, diversity director with Opportunity Now, said they were delighted to be working in partnership with the Commission to highlight current best practice in employing migrant workers.

She said that through Opportunity Now, Business in the Community was currently developing guidance for employers of migrant workers and hoped it would provide a valuable source of information for them.