Migrant workers protest threat from new redundancy rule

dublin | migration | news report Wednesday May 27, 2009 19:30 by Sparky sparky_dublin at yahoo dot ie

Get out or go underground is no choice say protestors

New regulations that could force long-established migrant workers out of Ireland or into the underground economy faced strong opposition from a rally held today. In a spirited protest, over a hundred workers from dozens of countries gathered outside the Tanaiste's office to call on her to reverse the plan, due to come into effect next Monday.

Under the new rules, migrant workers on work permits who are made redundant will be prohibited from taking up a new job unless it has been publicly advertised for two months, creating an enormous barrier for people to get another job.

Yaiz, a migrant worker from Malaysia told Migrant Rights Centre Ireland: "I have been living here for the past nine years with my wife and two children. I recently lost my job and I am worried what will happen to my family... I want the government to consider people like me who have committed themselves to Ireland, to at least give us a fair chance."

MCRI chairperson Fr Bobby Gilmore cricitised the move as illogical: "Forcing people into the informal economy will not create jobs for Irish workers. It will encourage exploitation and it will be a loss to revenue. Have we not learned our lesson from the Irish experience in the Unites States and elsewhere?"

The lunchtime demonstration was organised by MRCI with strong backing from SIPTU. Patrick Maphoso, Independent local election candidate for Dublin North Inner city attended the rally and Labour TD Michael D Higgins also joined the protest for a time.

MCRI is urging calls and letters to Tanaiste Mary Coughlan
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
23 Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Tel: 01 631 2172