Madam, - I am dismayed at the emerging debate about a possible system of work permits for citizens of the 10 new member-states of the European Union.
Such a system would damage our economy by leaving hundreds of jobs unfilled. It would also be against the spirit of the Maastricht Treaty which has provided so many opportunities for Irish citizens to work, study and live elsewhere in Europe with relative ease.
The exploitation of all underpaid workers - Irish and non-Irish - by employers is the real issue here. Surely there is enough scope within existing labour laws to (a) ensure that employers cannot get away with paying foreign workers below the minimum wage and (b) protect Irish workers from losing their jobs because of this?
As an Irish citizen living and working abroad, I am tempted to ask what the response of my compatriots would be to similar measures being introduced for Irish people in other EU member-states.
For centuries, Irish people travelled all over the world to build better lives for themselves and contributed greatly to the economies and societies of their new homes. There is no reason to say that immigrant workers in Ireland cannot do the same. - Yours etc,
MICHAEL J SCANLON, Gaskarth Road, London SW12.
Madam, - In your Editorial of January 23rd we read: "According to official employment and skills agencies, an inflow of 50,000 workers will be required each year to keep the economy growing in a healthy fashion". This is an inaccuracy which is constantly repeated in the media.
What is actually said is that those numbers would be necessary to maintain growth at current levels. However, many economic commentators and agencies have questioned the wisdom of this unrelenting pursuit of growth and have advocated a more sustainable level.
These include Garret FitzGerald, Moore McDowell, Aidan Punch of the CSO and, most recently, the ESRI.
No service is done to the public by failing to make the distinction. - Yours, etc,
ÁINE NÍ CHONAILL, PRO, Immigration Control Platform, Dublin 2.