The Equality Authority has criticised the proposed new immigration bill for failing to adequately protect immigrants.
In a submission published today, the authority expressed its disappointment over the failure of the bill to guarantee equality in immigration policy.
"We are disappointed that the new scheme for an immigration, residence and protection bill does not include provisions to embed equality in immigration policy and practice. In publishing our submission we hope to encourage the inclusion of such provisions in the final form of the legislation," said Niall Crowley, chief executive officer of the Equality Authority.
The Equality Authority has made a number of recommendations about the bill, including requiring those public bodies and institutions involved in immigration to promote "equality of opportunity and good relations in relation to migrants, to make reasonable accommodation of migrants in terms of cultural and linguistic difference and to have a planned and systematic approach to equality".
It is also proposing a charter of rights for migrants, including those whose status is classed as irregular.
"The legislation in its final form should reflect a greater concern for the vulnerability of immigrants," said Mr Crowley.
"In particular the legislation should ensure a protection for immigrants from any form of harassment or discrimination in the immigration process. It should allow positive action to address the situation of victims of human trafficking and migrants whose irregular status is due to their employer's failure to regularise their status.
"A reflection period should be provided to enable victims of trafficking to access rehabilitation assistance. Migrant workers who have ended up in an irregular status due to their employer's failure to regularise their status should be supported through regularisation programmes," he said.
The Equality Authority cited experiences in other jurisdictions to confirm the importance of including equality principles in immigration policy and practice, such as in Canada and Northern Ireland.
"Equality should be a general principle underpinning this immigration legislation. It is a principle that is espoused in most other policy areas," said Mr Crowley.
