Immigrant exploitation - Protection for workers is paramount

THE introduction of new measures to protect domestic workers, particularly vulnerable immigrants, is a welcome move to combat exploitation.

The initiative by junior minister for labour Tony Killeen, could not be more timely in the face of mounting evidence that immigrants are being exploited. In a related development, employment agencies are widely perceived as discriminating against female job seekers, especially those who are pregnant or disabled.

A trade union survey by ICTU underlines the persistence of a long running bias against women. Of 280 jobseekers asked how they viewed agencies, 76% believed they were ruled out of some jobs because they were women; 89% felt pregnant women face discrimination; and 87% saw disability barring employment.

If companies are using agencies for “equality avoidance” by under-paying immigrants, legislation should be introduced immediately to stop them getting around employment equality law.