Migrants are a vulnerable class of people without the experience of Ireland’s labour norms. Language difficulties, cultural differences, and the absence of established social networks can disadvantage migrants and increase the potential for abuse by unscrupulous employers.
Ireland has a very thorough employment rights legal framework. The employment permits system has been designed to ensure that the employment rights of migrants are observed. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment is responsible for regulating many aspects of the labour market and works to ensure that opportunities for labour exploitation are minimised. Many of the criteria associated with the employment permits system are aimed at ensuring that migrant employees are treated in line with Irish labour laws.
The Employment Permits Acts support employment rights compliance in the State and protection of employment rights for migrants by, for example:
- ensuring that there is a written contract of employment is in place
- ensuring the permit holder receives the original copy of the permit
- the permit has a summary of the employees’ rights printed on it and contact details for the Workplace Relations Commission where the permit holder can access information in a number of different languages
- prohibiting deductions in respect of the employment permit application process from employee remuneration
- setting minimum remuneration levels