Sir, - The miscarriage of justice in the Louise Woodward case has drawn attention to the vulnerable position of non-national au pairs. If this can happen to a British, articulate, legally employed young woman, think of the chances someone less privileged would have in a similar situation.
We need not cast our minds to the United States as here in Ireland gross injustices are being committed against non-national women who are employed as childminders and domestic workers.
This situation came to light at recent seminars on women and racism, at which I participated. These were organised by the national co-ordinating committee for European Year Against Racism. Many women who participated had personal experience of situations where women were brought here to work only to enjoy the status of slaves. Their passports are confiscated by their employers and because of their illegal status they are afraid to complain to anyone. They are in bondage to the employer.
This area needs looking into and the human rights of these women need to be affirmed here today in "modern" Ireland. - Yours etc.,
Catherine Naji,
Montenotte,
Cork.