Litany of exploitation in work permits system

Sinn Féin Dáil spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Arthur Morgan, last week called for legislation to be immediately brought forward to reform the work permits system in light of the litany of revelations of exploitation of migrant workers which have come to public attention in recent days.

"The cases of the construction workers employed by GAMA Construction, the farm labourers in the Southeast and the case of the Filipino woman employed by Irish Ferries are just the tip of the iceberg," he said.

Many more migrant workers are being exploited behind closed doors by their employers. The current work permit system is forcing them to remain in the employment of their exploitative bosses.

"I am reiterating the call made by Sinn Féin on numerous occasions for legislation to be introduced by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mícheál Martin as a priority so that the work permit would be held by the employee rather than the employer.

"The Government and Minister Martin's failure to act on this matter is resulting in migrants who make a huge contribution to the economy of this state continuing to be open to appalling exploitation."