asked the Minister for Labour what is Government policy in relation to Irish workers who reply to advertisements placed in the Irish national and local papers by foreign companies inviting Irish workers to go abroad; whether any advice is given to these workers before they go abroad; whether the Government or any Department of it is able to scrutinise the industrial and living conditions into which Irish workers will go; and whether the bona fides of the foreign companies engaged in the practice of seeking Irish workers to go abroad are questioned by any organ of State.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers (Resumed). - Employment of Irish Workers Abroad
63.
There is no interference with the right of free movement of workers going abroad for employment. The Deputy will be aware that I have set up a committee to advise on the employment problems of workers who are contemplating going abroad for work. One of the tasks of the committee is to co-ordinate the services provided by voluntary agencies giving guidance and advice to these people. The Department of External Affairs is prepared, where possible, to inquire, on request, about the standing of any foreign firm which may seek workers here and about the conditions of employment.
I do not think the Minister's reply is too unreasonable and I do not think there is much of a problem in Britain. If Irish workers go there they can always inquire from their friends who, unfortunately, are dotted all over the whole country. In the European countries, however, there has been evidence that workers who went from here, particularly women workers, found that they had been hoodwinked and that jobs which had been advertised in newspapers in this country were not at all what they appeared to be. I would strongly urge on the Minister, therefore, to utilise our ambassadors and consulates abroad to ensure that the conditions advertised in Irish newspapers, local and provincial, are in fact real and that workers will not be hoodwinked and disillusioned when they go to these places.
I hope to bring in legislation soon requiring registration of private employment agencies and this would give some control.
It looks very attractive: starting at £20 per week with a Dutch firm and all sorts of things.
I have a copy of that.