Experience of a Migrant Worker in
Ireland

by Siobhan O'Donoghue (MRIC)

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Laura is a migrant worker from Latvia. She is a young widow with two small children to support at home.

The decision to emigrate was not taken lightly and it was with great sadness that she left behind her young family in the care of her elderly mother, in order to travel to Ireland to take up work.

Laura worked as a cleaner in a company in the Midlands until she was forced to leave because of the conditions she both lived and worked under. Living in a caravan, without heat or a toilet Laura worked on average 14 hours per day, seven days a week. Before starting work she was asked how much she would have earned in Latvia and then offered 50 euro more per week.

Her average weekly income was 150 euro. This case is not uncommon and is a sad reflection of many migrant workers life here in Ireland.

Of course there are many more who are working in good conditions with employers who respect employment regulations. However no matter how fair an employer is, the fact remains that the rules and regulations under which migrant workers live and work here generate the conditions for exploitation and social exclusion.

The core issue is the question of ownership over the work permit. At present the employer owns the work permit. The work permit is the document necessary for the migrant worker to have his or her passport stamped (leave to remain stamp) and the work permit is the document that confirms that the migrant worker is legally employed in the country. So you can imagine how important this piece of paper is and why the issue of ownership presents many difficulties for the individual worker. The holding of the work permit by the employer represents the degree of control employers have over their employees

It is not uncommon for employers to create and reinforce the impression that they have the power to deport or determine the legal status of the worker. We know from experience that this degree of control is a key determining factor in the ability of the migrant worker to seek help or report to the legal authorities. Migrants are generally unaware that they also have rights or that the employer does not have the power to have them deported.

The experience of racism is an ongoing reality for many migrant workers and their families. Racism is often an inherent part of the employment relationship.

In the MRCI we have undertaken research into the experience of migrant women employed in the private home. It is clear that many of these women are being treated differently based primarily on their nationality. This is reflected in the work these women are expected to undertake, the pay levels and general attitude and treatment.

Agencies are major culprits in promoting exploitative treatment. For example one recruitment agency advertised domestic and childcare workers as uncomplaining, docile and willing to carry out any duties the employer wanted. They also stated that the worker did not require her own room but would be happy to sleep on a pull out bed in the playroom.

Migrant workers all over the world make a significant contribution to the economies of the countries to which they migrate. In the UK it is estimated that migrant workers contribute over 2 billion pounds annually to the economy. Not only do migrant workers bring their much needed skills and labour, but also they are consumers and tax payers.

This is often forgotten in the maze of rhetoric surrounding the immigration debate. The level of mis-information, negative stereotyping and blatant xenophobia and racism is at times startling. Challenging and countering this negative portrayal of immigrants, including migrant workers requires all of us committed to social justice and equality to work in solidarity.

Migrant workers live and work in all of our communities. They are often invisible or ignored. Community groups, local development agencies and information services are ideally placed to reach out and offer support and create the conditions for integration.

Local organisations are also very well placed to challenge local service providers to respond appropriately to the needs and situations in which migrant workers find themselves.

The MRCI are happy to work with local organisations interested in developing actions in response to the situation of migrant workers and in the creation of local integration strategies.

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