Figures from the Equality Authority show that 27 per cent of employment cases before it are race related, a conference on racism in the workplace heard today.
At the end of 2000 8 per cent of the body's casework under the Employment Act related to the race ground. At the end of 2001 this figure had doubled to 16 per cent.
Chief Executive of the Equality Authority, Mr Niall Crowley, said: "One would expect growth in casework under the new grounds. This would reflect a growing consciousness of new rights and a growing confidence to exercise those rights.
"However, growth of the scale evident on the race ground is an indication of a growth in a serious workplace issue. At the heart of this growth in casework is the experience of migrant workers".
Mr Crowley highlighted some of the problems that face migrant workers in Ireland.
"There are many examples of migrant workers being paid less than their Irish counterparts. In one case migrant works were promised a wage far in excess of what they actually received. They were paid the minimum wage which was less than their Irish counterparts.
"In another case the migrant workers were paid by the hour while the Irish workers were paid piece. Dismissal is another common experience in a manner that would not happen to Irish workers," he said.
The country's largest union, SIPTU, has called for positive anti-racist policies to be developed and supported in all workplaces and by all State agencies so that all workers are treated equally.
SIPTU General President, Des Geraghty, said: "There is now regular abuse of the work permit system by employers using migrant workers as cheap and pliable labour," he said. "Apart from problems of accommodation and welfare as well as pay and working conditions, there is also evidence of real fear on the part of migrant workers because of their insecure status or threat of job loss or deportation".