I am pleased to have the opportunity to raise this important matter, about which there has been a number of reports. This issue requires Government action of a type we have not seen to date. The plight of non-national workers is giving rise to much concern. In light of our current deficit of workers and the fact that the Tánaiste reckons we will need tens of thousands of non-national workers over the next couple of years if we are to fulfil our labour requirement, there is a greater onus on us to ensure that the workers who come to work in this country with valid permits and passports are treated in the same way as national workers.
It is deplorable that the Government invites workers from abroad to come to this country to take up employment but then does not offer an adequate programme of protection once they arrive in the State. It is clear that there is systematic exploitation over a wide range of sectors. It is important that we get a proper assessment of the problem with a view to rectifying it.
The work permit arrangement must be subjected to review to stop unscrupulous employers and employment agencies from engaging in direct exploitation and extortion where immigrant workers are concerned. Enforcement of the domestic regulations which apply to workers is dependent on a complement of 17 inspectors to police them. That is hardly sufficient and requires considerable improvement. The problem is particularly acute in the hotel and catering sector as well as in the meat industry and agri-related outdoor activities. Numerous cases of exploitation of foreign nursing staff have been highlighted recently.
This represents the tip of the iceberg. The most common complaints include long hours, no overtime pay, lack of information, working Sundays and weekends for no extra pay and general insecurity as far as rights and terms and conditions of employment are concerned. This results in a certain amount of fear and anxiety on the part of hundreds of workers who have come to this country to earn a livelihood and participate in our economic life.
Currently, the work permit means the employee is indentured to a specific employer. The personal nature of the work permit dissuades an exploited employee from making a complaint. That is why the complaints which have come to our notice represent the tip of the iceberg. Many people are fearful of making a complaint lest they suffer deportation from the State. I know of employees who have been told that if they bring a complaint to the authorities, they will be sent home immediately and will not have an opportunity to work any longer in the State. Many non-national workers have come to this country after paying vast sums of money to agencies and middlemen to give them access to the State in the first instance. In many cases they will not give their names and addresses.
The Department must undertake a vigorous campaign to address this matter. I hope prosecutions will be forthcoming in cases which have been brought to the notice of the Department.
