SIPTU says exploitation of migrant workers is widespread

Thousands of migrant workers are being exploited by Irish employers who treat them as little more than slaves, according to the country's largest trade union.

SIPTU said the case of Filipina hairdresser Salvacion Orge, who was hired by Irish Ferries on pay of just €1 an hour, was just one of a long list of similar cases that they union has been made aware of.

Spokesman Mike Jennings said SIPTU had uncovered evidence that some workers are being paid a lot less than the minimum wage, while others are receiving nothing due to deductions taken from their wages.

"It's really disturbing to me that in the 21st century, considering the background of the Irish people and the amount of emigration and exploitation we suffered abroad, that effectively in our own country we should see conditions that are quite close to modern slavery," he said.

"As an Irish person, I feel diminished by that. I'm just absolutely outraged by it."