Hundreds of Irish and immigrant workers are seeking help from an organisation that provides English language classes as well as advice on welfare and employment issues.
The Irish Trade Union Trust (ITUT) said yesterday there had been a big rise in the number of immigrants seeking its services.
A significant number of Irish workers were also looking for information about employment rights and availing of "basic English classes", it said.
The trust, which is part of SIPTU and provides the union's "social solidarity service", said it had responded to 158 requests for assistance from Irish nationals, and 146 from immigrants, over the past three months.
Mr Eddie Glackin, ITUT chief executive, said these were significant numbers, particularly given the number of State agencies providing similar help and information.
The lack of basic literacy skills could prevent people from "seeking out new horizons", he said.
Last month 67 people registered to join English language classes provided by the trust, of whom 40 were Irish and 27 from other countries.
"Many non-English speaking immigrants who are in employment here also need help, so we offer workplace literacy schemes, in conjunction with employers, to help improve the communications process at work."
The ITUT, he said, provided information on a range of issues for workers and unemployed people.
In the recent past the trust had distributed 2,400 copies of its redundancy information guide and given direct assistance to more than 600 workers who lost their jobs in plants around the country.
Mr Glackin said many of the workers concerned would not find employment again "and others will have to learn new skills before they can re-enter the labour market".
