'Green cards' may worsen two-tier jobs plight, migrant group warns

Legislation allowing for a new "green card" scheme for immigrant workers, due to be presented to the Dáil today, is in danger of "exacerbating a two-tier system" of employment in the State, the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) has warned.

The lobby group said it welcomed some provisions of the proposed Employment Permits Bill 2005, which is being published by the Minister for Enterprise, Micheál Martin.

However, the council said it failed to address a number of issues, including family reunification and the threat of exploitation of migrant workers.

The legislation will allow the Minister to issue a new type of permit to skilled staff in mainly high-tech sectors where labour shortages are deemed to exist.

The "green cards" will allow holders full freedom to seek jobs within specified areas of the economy.

However, the ICI said the new permits did not equate to US green cards.

"Instead of treating economic migrants as potentially permanent members of Irish society, we are still treating them as guest workers who are fulfilling our economic and labour market needs, without providing any real sense of permanence. While people may be able to apply for citizenship after five years in the State, no application is guaranteed and it can take years to get a decision."

The council expressed concern at the suggestions that people will have to earn over €55,000 a year to be eligible for the proposed "green cards".

"The ICI would be concerned that by doing this we are in danger of exacerbating a two-tier system, where some economic migrants are seen as more preferable and entitled to more rights and entitlements than others".

While the council said it welcomed provisions under the Bill to allow for further sanctions for exploitative employers, such measures would be "meaningless unless the Government also provides for a significant strengthening of the resources deployed to police this area".