Union chief warns about pay talks amid permits call

Negotiations on new national wage agreements must include measures to tackle job displacement and exploitation of foreign workers, Siptu president Jack O’Connor warned today as a poll revealed the vast majority of people want a work permit regime introduced.

A huge majority – 78% – believe people from central and east European states which joined the EU in 2004 should be required to apply for work permits before coming here to work. Only 17% are against the move.