Siptu seeks tightening of State's labour laws

The State's largest trade union, Siptu, has called on the Government to tighten up Ireland's labour laws before Romania and Bulgaria are admitted to the European Union next year.

Fine Gael demanded Government controls to protect jobs after an Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) report said up to 90,000 jobs in Ireland could be lost as a direct result of a downturn in the US economy.

Siptu general president Jack O'Connor said all the worker protection measures contained in the recently negotiated Towards 2016deal need to be implemented before extending free mobility to workers from Romania and Bulgaria when they join the EU.

"Given the litany of examples of exploitation of migrant workers which unfolded over the past two years, and the acknowledgments by reputable commentators of adverse implications for wages, it is critical that our labour regulations and enforcement mechanisms be radically overhauled first," said Mr O'Connor.

The union is concerned there could be a repeat scandals such as the Game Contstruction controversy that saw hundreds of Turkish workers underpaid for months that if strong labour protections are not in place. Many of the Gama workers claimed they were harassed and intimidated when they revealed the extent of the exploitation.

Minister for Enterprise Micheal Martin said today proposals would be brought to the Cabinet on immigration for citizens of the two Balkan countries after they join the EU in January. The Minister refused to confirm whether or not access to the Irish labour market would be restricted. However, he has already indicated a cautious approach would be adopted.

Ireland is one of only three EU states that currently allows immigrants from new member states unrestricted access.

The ESRI said immigration from Bulgaria and Romania should be restricted through a system of work permits. Although immigration has largely had a positive affect on the Irish economy, the ESRI noted future economic conditions could lead to problems with high numbers of immigrants vying for fewer jobs.

In its report, the ESRI predicted job creation will slow from 91,000 jobs this year to 71,000 in 2007. The ESRI has predicted 125,000 new immigrants will come to work in Ireland from 2006 to 2007.

Fine Gael's agriculture spokesman, Denis Naughten, said the Government needs to invest heavily in Ireland's food industry to protect Ireland from the knock-on effects of a possible downturn in the US economy.

He said Ireland needs to build up its domestic companies and move more of its exports to Europe rather than the United States. "One way of achieving this is to focus on our valuable food industry which is intrinsic to this country due to our significant food production capabilities and the fact that the vast majority of this production goes into the European market," he said.

"Our food industry employs over 200,000 people, accounts for almost a quarter of our total exports and is worth over €7 billion to our economy but, after nearly ten years in office, the Government has only now taken some moves to address the Research & Development (R&D) deficit in the food industry.

"R&D in the food industry is vital for the survival of our small and medium sized food companies," Mr Naughten said.

Additional reporting: PA