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Exploitation and Displacement

2006 International Anti-Racism Day marked with new publication

Date Released: 21 Mar 2006

Speaking today at the launch of a new publication, “Diversity in the Workplace – a Guide for Shop Stewards”, SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor declared that strengthened employment regulation and proper enforcement of it will optimise the potential of the multicultural workplace.   “Failure to do this will result in devastating consequences immediately and in the longer term,” he said.

“The fundamental premise that should inform our attitude to immigration in the workplace is that regardless of to one’s country of origin, every person who goes to work in Ireland must be entitled to be treated with respect and dignity and to be paid whatever the national norm applies in respect to the work they do,” he said.

“Employers who treat people properly have absolutely nothing to fear from enhanced regulation and enforcement of employment protection legislation, indeed the reverse is the case,” he continued. 

“Failure to address these issues properly will aggravate fears and fuel racism in all its ugly manifestations.  The key to the future lies in encouraging multiculturism and working together,” he added.

Referring to recent exposés of gross exploitation of migrant workers at Moneypoint and other employments, Mr O’Connor emphasised the importance of organising to ending exploitation and expressed satisfaction at the progress SIPTU is making in organising migrant workers, of which there are 16,000 members in the Union.  “This advancement vindicates the initiative that SIPTU took in employing a number of full time organisers from the migrant community,” he concluded.





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