Northern Ireland bosses who employ migrant workers have responsibilities that go beyond the workplace, they were told today.
Equality Commission chief commissioner Joan Harbison was speaking to over 200 delegates at a major conference in Belfast organised by the Commission in partnership with Opportunity New - the diversity campaign for Business in the Community.
Employers must make their staff aware of their rights in areas such as medical and social services, Dame Harbison told the conference, which aims to raise awareness of best practice among employers who employ migrant workers.
She said: "Complex challenges accompany the growth in the migrant workforce here. Migrant workers can be isolated and disadvantaged by language differences and unfamiliarity with local services."
Representatives from the health, housing, banking, education, immigration and social security areas attended the conference to offer advice on the employment of migrant workers.
PA