Labour outlines immigration policy proposals

The Labour Party today called for the introduction of Green Cards as part of a raft of new measures aimed at improving working standards for Irish and immigrant workers.

The party outlined eleven policy initiatives that it insists must be introduced to manage immigration and tackle job displacement and exploitation.

The measures, contained in an 8,000-word policy document entitled A fair place to work and live: Tackling the race to the bottom, are designed to prevent another Irish Ferries-style industrial relations controversy, the party says.

In addition to replacing the work permits system with Green Cards, the document calls for measures to tackle bogus subcontracting; more and better resourced Labour Inspectors and more effective prosecution of offences.

It also recommends the use of binding Registered Employment Agreements to protect employment standards and for public contracts "to insist on compliance with decent work conditions".

Party leader Pat Rabbitte has faced criticism from both within his own party and from outside parties over comments he made in an Irish Timesinterview in which he said it was time to rethink immigration policy.

Mr Rabbitte said today he welcomed the debate that followed his comments. "If we are to protect labour standards and avoid the need to review our transitional arrangements for people coming here from new EU member states, it is vital we implement these measures in the wake of the Gama scandal and the Irish Ferries dispute," he said.

"Labour believes we must combine a strong, enterprising and innovative economy, with robust employment standards and first-class terms and conditions."

He said immigrants are most at risk from exploitation and it was vital to ensure that they enjoyed the same terms and conditions of employment as Irish workers.

Paul Anderson adds: The European Court of Justice's (ECJ) Court of First Instance today issued a opinion against German regulations on workers from non-member states.

The regulations require that non-EU workers must show they have been with their employer for a year before being deployed to Germany.

"The Court holds that the German authorities' practice exceeds what is necessary to prevent abuse and circumvention of the freedom to provide services," the opinion said.

The European Commission brought the action claiming that the regulations infringed the freedom to provide services.

The Court of First Instance issues opinions rather than rulings but the findings are usually accepted by the European Court of Justice.