Immigrants' plight dominates ICTU conference

The treatment of immigrant workers is dominating the opening day of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions' biennial conference in Belfast today.

The general secretary of the Building and Allied Trades Union told the conference issues facing workers coming from abroad must take priority in national partnership talks.

Paddy O'Shaughnessy said trade unions must give migrants a voice, represent their interests and protect their fundamental right to fair pay and conditions, as well as equal treatment.

Meanwhile, the conference is also debating a motion calling for the establishment of an ombudsman for migrant workers.

The exploitation of such workers has become a major issue for the trade union movement.