Visas plan to protect migrants on trawlers

A new immigration permission scheme to allow illegal migrant workers in the fishing industry gain access to working visas is to be proposed by Minister for Justice Frances.

Ms Fitzgerald’s officials are to make the proposal at a meeting of a taskforce set up to examine the issue of migrant workers being used as cheap labour on some Irish trawlers.

The establishment of the group, which meets for the second time today, followed a report in the Guardian newspaper this month. The report, the result of a year-long investigation, said African and Asian migrant workers were being "routinely but illegally used as cheap labour on Irish fishing trawlers working out of some of the country's most popular tourist ports".

Officials from the Department of Justice are to table the new immigration permission scheme that would apply to migrants already working in the industry, as well as new arrivals.

Industrial consultation

The proposal, drafted by Ms Fitzgerald and the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, will have to be agreed by the taskforce and adopted by the Government. It is understood the number of visas to be made available will be decided following consultations with the fishing industry. Sources stressed it did not amount to an amnesty and said applications would have to be assessed, adding successful applicants will have to be “of good character”.

However, those workers now used as cheap labour will have their applications looked upon “favourably”, one source said, citing the humanitarian situation they found themselves in.

The visas will apply for one year, renewable annually. Those successful in applying for continuous permits will be eligible for the naturalisation and citizenship process.

The new visas will also entitle recipients to their full rights, such as benefits such as the dole, assuming they have paid sufficient contributions. Anyone granted a permit will be allowed to move job in the period for which their permit applies.

While it will initially apply to the fishing sector, sources said it may be also be widened to other industries. The Government taskforce is chaired by Minister for Agriculture and the Marine Simon Coveney.

It includes representatives from the Departments of Justice; Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation; Transport, Tourism and Sport; and Agriculture, Food and Marine; as well as the Attorney General's office, relevant agencies and An Garda Síochána. When the Guardian report emerged, Mr Coveney said he was "very concerned" about the allegations, but rejected the charge the Government had turned a blind eye to the issue.