Migrant workers protest threat from new redundancy rule

dublin | racism & migration related issues | 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

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Comments (5 of 5)

Changes a disgrace!

by A.Smith

Thu May 28, 2009 15:46

The proposed changes are a disgrace. They reflect a distinct lack of fairness and integrity in decision-making at the Tanaiste's office. What type of a society are we trying to build in this country? One that just uses people and then tries to dispose of them like human waste. Challenging times like these call for progressive thinking and forward planing based on equality and honesty. We do not need shallow political blows that scape-goat migrant workers and their families.

Insidious and unfair

by shoegirl

Thu May 28, 2009 14:29

This is very, very insidious, and clearly designed, along with the ludicrous 2000+ fee for renewals to create as many barriers as possible for people to stay on legally. The message is clear: "go home."

Sadly, I think this is only the latest in a long line of anti-migrant policies being increasingly adopted as a sop to perceived racist sentiment in the electorate. With 2 elections coming up, the curren neo-con govt wants to be seen to be "tough" on foreigners, however unfair this may be.

For more information...

Thu May 28, 2009 00:39

The Migrant RIghts Centre (MRCI) is the lead organisation for the campaign. You can contact them and/or sign up for their email list via the link below - or phone (01) 889 7570...

information

by joe

Wed May 27, 2009 22:24

Thanks for making this available does anyone know where I can get more information on this?
Cheers
joe

Alternate link for protest images

Wed May 27, 2009 20:03

Eight hi-resolution, copyleft images of the protest are available at this alternate link (since it seems that full Flickr links with @ symbols get cropped...)

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Migrant workers protest threat from new redundancy rule

Comments (5 of 5)