Migrant Workers Stage Demonstration at Minister Batt O'Keeffe's Office 2 June 2010, Dublin

On June 2nd 2010, over 200 migrant workers from across the country, along with trade union, community sector and employer allies, held a demonstration outside the offices of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keeffe, T.D., calling on him to give workers employed through the employment permit system the right to change employer.

The current employment permits system binds a worker to one employer. This is a leading factor in the exploitation of workers. 80% of MRCI's cases of exploitation involve workers in the employment permit system. Every day the MRCI hears from migrant workers who are unable to leave exploitative working conditions because of the rigid and inflexible employment permits system. The MRCI is seeking an administrative change which would give people the freedom to exit exploitative conditions and find alternative work within their job category, without having to go through an entirely new permit application with its unnecessary costs and delays. Many TDs are saying MRCI's proposal is sensible and the right thing to do, as do ICTU and employer bodies.

"Minister Batt O'Keeffe can change the lives of thousands with a simple administrative change," says Siobhán O'Donoghue, director of the MRCI. "Most workers on permits will only come forward to report exploitation if there is a way out that does not put their legal status at risk. The best way to protect workers and prevent exploitation is by giving the right to change employer, which gives them a fair chance to find an alternative and report exploitation."

"We are here today because we are trying to get Minister O'Keeffe to make the employment permit system fairer," says Zeno Arumugan, a work permit holder from Malaysia; "Right now it's impossible for me and 25,000 others in the system to change employer freely. This is causing huge problems. We are not asking for special treatment, just the basic equality and rights that other workers have."

"Minister Batt O'Keeffe's lack of action on our ongoing calls to give workers the right to change employer has led us to take action here today," says Hilda Regasi, a migrant worker from the Philippines and campaign volunteer. "Each day that passes without action from Minister O'Keeffe only enables this kind of exploitation to continue."

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Migrant Rights
• Migrant Workers
• Demonstration
• Minister Batt O'Keeffe
• 2 June 2010
• Dublin
• protest
• MRCI
• workers rights
• Siptu
• Congress
• Mandate
• Labour Party

[OOjiBoy]

No migrant has the right to come to Ireland. The Irish have the right to let whoever they please into their own country.

[E1REANN]

Nobody kidnapped them from their own countries and forced them to come here. They were quite willing to accept the system when they applied for work their permits in the first place. Anyway, there is not enough work for our own people today, we shouldn't be issuing any more work permits let alone renewing the existing ones. The system only feeds the capitalists and those of you on the left are their useful idiots.

[voberhat]

Great appeal from the minority people.Great support from the Irish Counter part.This is very simple for minister.Work permiter holder's are slave for their current employer.Who use them inhuman way with lower payment.Honestly those worker are very hard worker and they work for nothing....

[leonraath1]

I'm a SA Physio who has worked and paid taxes in Ireland for 2 years on the green card permit scheme. I was the physio for the Clare senior and U/21 Hurlers who won the All Ireland last year! I am in the process of changing employer but since Oct 2009 I havebeen struggling to get a new permit. I first applied for a new green card but that was then "conveniently" removed from the elligible list, and then applied for a work permit. To date it has taken 5 months!Nothing yet! How fair is that????

[SeamusaMaiden]

@OgreSwamp I understand its terrible you have to wait another 3years. Im also aware you have to survive like another person in Ireland.

Migrant workers are been abused what precentage? i dont know. I make it short and TRUE. I knew chinese workers (2 guys & 1 girl) who were living near me worked in a factory for very low pay from 8am to 6pm then the girl hitched hiked 10miles for 2nd job that day. Before she ever got her 2nd job.. they did not have enough food to feed themsevles.

[OgreSwamp]

Lads

1st: Irish Celtic Tiger was possible because of migrant workers.

2nd: It was my decision to come couple years ago. I *WAS PROMISED* (on the official ENTEMP website) that after 2 years on Green Card scheme (scheme for high skilled stuff) I will be able to apply for the Long Term Residence. I paid 1000 for this Green Card, but they "changed their mind" and now I have to wait another 3 years to apply for LTR (and wait in line another 3 years). Do you really think that is honest?

[himspats]

Very Well done MRCI.

@OOjiBoy : You miserably fail in conveying your message. We come to study, not to enjoy the country and other pleasure...inquire on how the irish economy thrives on foreign student's educations fees. It is a risk all of them take to study in a better deemed university, the one in which u and E!1REANN might have had education in. Having said that Ireland gives the job hunting time of 6 months v/s 2 years in UK. Very Unfair for the foreign students...

[ariesgirlycork]

Well done to the MRCI! Sorry I couldn't be there to support the demo!

[senthilram1]

Well done keep it up to MRCI, SIPTU, and all those who participated in the demonstration.

Senthil Ram, Waterford