asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he has seen the statement of the German Employers Association of 9th July alleging bad conduct on the part of Irish workers in a Dusseldorf firm; whether he will make a statement on the reported intervention of the Irish Embassy leading to five alleged troublemakers being given their cards; whether his Department accept the charges made by the German Employers Association; and whether they have initiated any independent investigation into the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Workers in Germany.
5.
Mr. O'Leary
I have seen the statement referred to by the Deputy. It was published in the news bulletin of the Federal Union of German Employers Associations on 8th July.
Early in February a German firm in Dusseldorf reported to the Embassy that they were having difficulties with the Irish workers and an officer of the Embassy visited the factory with a view to helping so far as possible to solve the problems. The main grievance of the workers, apart from difficulties incidental to adaptation to a foreign environment, seems to be that they had expected to have greater opportunities for earning overtime rates, but as the factory operated on a 3-shift base such opportunities were limited. The workers stated they could earn more in Dublin than their basic pay in Dusseldorf. The Embassy's representative did not at any time suggest the dismissal of alleged troublemakers.
However, subsequent to this visit the firm dismissed five of the workers, all of whom applied to be, and were repatriated, two by the Embassy in Brussels and three by the Embassy in Bonn. Other Irish workers left of their own accord and either found other employment or made their way home without approaching any of our Missions. Apparently only seven of the original 25 still remain in the factory.
The statement of the Federal Union of German Employers Associations alleges absenteeism, irregularity in timekeeping, turbulence and lack of discipline on the part of some of the Irish workers. This if it occurred is of course a responsibility of management and workers and not a matter in which my Department should attempt to adjudicate.
As I have mentioned in reply to a previous parliamentary question, the Government have no power to prevent Irish citizens from accepting employment abroad. Before they leave Ireland persons going to employment on the Continent are warned that they should be fully conversant with the terms and conditions of employment and that they should advise our diplomatic or consular representatives of their presence in the country and get in touch with them in case of difficulty. Continental employers who bring out workers from Ireland must expect that the persons they recruit, who have free choice amongst many countries if they wish to take permanent employment abroad, will find linguistic and other difficulties in adapting themselves to very different conditions from those to which they have been accustomed at home. Personnel who are undergoing a limited period of training abroad for eventual employment in Ireland are more likely to adapt themselves to the foreign environment for the period of their stay.
Mr. O'Leary
Is the Minister aware that this criticism of the Irish workers has based itself on the mentality of the Irish workers involved and on irregularity and has received widespread publicity in the foreign press? If his Department have made an investigation, would they consider issuing a statement to counter this kind of attitude towards Irish workers abroad?
I think I have covered the question very fully in my reply.
Mr. O'Leary
It would seem to me that it would help to avoid problems of this nature arising if the Irish Embassy in a country where Irish workers are engaged would contact the local trade union to which the workers belong. I assume that this was a non-trade union firm.
That I do not know. I hardly think so. There are very few non-trade union firms in Germany as far as I know.
There are firms in Germany who lose 60 per cent of their workers every six months because the workers will not stay with them.
We advise the workers as far as we can. What more can we do? Are we to tell them that they must not go?
You could prevent untrue statements being published about them.
We cannot prevent that, either.
Is the Minister aware that in this statement there was included this comment, that of the 100 who took up the offer to go to Dusseldorf, half failed the medical examination? Surely that statement should be inquired into because it is a reflection on Irish workers and on our health services?
That I understand to be the position.
That 50 Irish workers failed an examination to enter a German factory? Frankly, I do not believe it.
Anyway, the doctors said it. That is all we can say.
If the doctor says your leg is broken, your leg is broken and you should not work.
That is right.
This has got widespread publicity. I have here a cutting from the Glasgow Herald of, I think, last Friday. This seems to have got publicity over Europe. There may be justification for some of the criticism but this is an abject criticism of Irish workers.
I have tried to do the best I can.
I would ask the Minister to try to get publicity even for his reply.
I hope it will get it.