Migrant workers in Ireland face ‘systemic exploitation’

Migrant workers in Ireland are at high risk of exploitation, discrimination and are facing precarious working conditions and chronic underpayment, according to the latest research from the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI).

Some 48 per cent of migrants working in the restaurant sector, security, home care and domestic work survive on less than €300 a week, while 61 per cent are working extra hours without pay, according to the MRCI.

Research into the treatment of migrant workers also found 44 per cent received less than the national minimum wage which is currently set at €8.65 per hour.

The research into migrant working conditions in Ireland was carried out between November 2014 and March 2015 through analysis surveys, focus group discussions and analysis of 10 years of data from MRCI case files.

The top five nationalities represented in the survey are Pakistani, Filipino, Bangladeshi, Chinese and Indian.

The report describes the levels of exploitation towards migrants in the workplace as “staggering”, saying migrants are being subjected to “systemic exploitation” which undermines wages and working conditions.

Immigrants make up 12.47 per cent of Ireland’s population - a total of 578,000 people- and since 2011, over 90,000 migrants have become Irish citizens.

According to the OECD, 70 per cent of migrants are overqualified for the jobs they are employed, a figure which according to the All Work and Low Pay report is reflected in Ireland where both male and female migrant workers have “a better educational profile than the Irish population as a whole”.

The MRCI found 38 per cent of those surveyed felt they were treated differently to other staff because of race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin or religion.

Some 87.4 per cent remain in entry-level jobs while 93 per cent have not been offered a promotion or opportunity to progress in the last year.

Gráinne O’Toole from MRCI described the exploitation of migrant workers in certain Irish sectors as shocking, saying many people face wage theft, discrimination and a lack of progression.

“One of the most interesting findings is that most migrant workers are fully aware of their rights, but do not feel empowered to challenge their employers when breaches occur,” said Ms O’Toole.

“We must ensure that migrant workers are facilitated to access justice and end this culture of impunity for exploitative employers.”

Ms O’Toole has called on the government to reform the work permit system to allow workers to change employer within their given sector to avoid migrants becoming “trapped in a situation of exploitation”.

The report warns that people reliant on a work permit are worried they will lose their jobs if they raise their grievances, putting them at risk of losing their immigration status and becoming undocumented.

It also found many migrants do not claim social welfare benefits due to fears that it could affect their application for citizenship.

Samy Selvedah, an activist who came to Ireland to work as a chef 10 years ago said he struggled to survive on minimum wage while the cost of living continued to rise.

“I asked for a pay rise but I never got it,” said Mr Selvedah. “Despite my experience, despite retraining in hotel management, I was always passed over for management positions.

“There is a need for a work permit that allows migrants to move employers within a given sector. This is the only way migrant workers can progress and be free from exploitation.”