Immigrants influx - Greedy bosses must not use cheap labour

IT would be foolhardy to pretend that Irish workers will not face competition for jobs from a possible influx of migrant labour when our borders open to millions of new EU citizens in May.

Realistically, the flow of cheap labour is bound to increase when 10 more countries join the union, especially as Ireland and Britain will be the only EU states offering full work and benefit rights to 73 million citizens after they become members of the elite club four months from now.

Effectively, the newcomers will be treated like any other EU nationals. There will be no need for permits and they will have minimum wage guarantees. Of the 15 existing EU members, only Ireland and Britain will give full freedom of movement and access to jobs.