Foreign workers – Exploitation must not be tolerated

IT is an outrage that some foreign workers are still being targeted to come to work in Ireland under exploitative conditions.

In a study by the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland to be published later this week, there are indications that people in India are being charged a fee to seek jobs in Ireland, which is in violation of the Employment Agency Act.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is reportedly seeking legal advice about the possibility of pursuing the Irish agency involved to reimburse the fees. If it is not possible to do so, emergency legislation should be introduced without delay so that the offending Irish agency can be held responsible.

The study will also highlight instances of migrant workers finding themselves working long hours for low wages in conditions that bear little resemblance to those they were promised. Irish people suffered similar indignities when they emigrated over the centuries, but that is all the more reason that this country should not tolerate such despicable behaviour now.

Department figures show that there were arrears of pay totalling €1.4 million in 2005, which was three times the previous year.

Yet the level of prosecutions was at a six-year low. This must be stopped, because it is wrong, and also because our own people will ultimately be exploited, too.