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Green
Party calls for visa card system and new Ministry of State for Immigration
Affairs
at national launch of Party's Immigration Policy
The Green Party today called on the Government to introduce an Irish immigration
system that is fair and equitable, efficient and transparent. The Green
Party's immigration policy includes proposals for a quota-based and a Green
card visa system; the issuing of work permits directly to employees; the need to
establish a Ministry of State for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs; a fully
resourced labour inspectorate; and the ratification of The International
Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of
their Families.
Green Party spokesperson for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Ciarán Cuffe TD
said today that, "The Green Party sees the need for fair and transparent
regulations to govern immigration in Ireland. The Irish landscape has
transformed dramatically over the past five years from a country of mass
emigration to a country of net immigration. To date, the Government has failed
to provide an efficient and integrated system to deal with this new population.
The number of non-EU nationals working in Ireland has risen from 6000 in 1999 to
50,000 in 2003 and since EU enlargement in May 2004 more than 100,000 from new
EU member states have taken up employment in Ireland. It is clear from these
figures that steps must be taken immediately to ensure that Ireland puts in
place an organised and efficient immigration system."
Mr Cuffe went on to say that integration of immigrants into Irish society is
essential for the future success of this country, both economically and
socially. "When in government, the Green Party will establish a Ministry of
State for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs in the Department of An Taoiseach with
responsibility for driving a robust, high-level cross-departmental process which
will co-ordinate the work of all departments with responsibility for immigration
related issues. This Ministry will provide a vital focal point for the
co-ordination of all public sector services for people coming to live and work
in Ireland."
Cathaoirleach of Bray Town Council, Cllr Deirdre de Burca, said that the Irish
economy has become heavily reliant on migrant workers coming to this country to
take up positions in various sectors in recent years. However, because of the
temporary nature of their work permits, and their reliance on their employers,
these workers are susceptible to exploitation as recently evidenced in the GAMA
construction case.
"The recent publication of the Employment Permits Bill 2005 by the Minister
for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, is a small step in the right direction in
terms of rectifying the Government's negligent approach to migrant workers to
date. However this Bill still places too much control in the hands of the
employer. Under this new legislation while work permits are issued to the
employee, the employer and not the employee will be responsible for applying for
a work permit. If the employee then wishes to change jobs at any stage he/she
will have to rely on a new employer to secure the work permit."
"Furthermore, without a fully resourced labour inspectorate it is difficult to
see how these new regulations can be enforced effectively. The Bill refers to
fines of up to €50,000 and possible jail sentences for employers who are in
breach of the legislation, but in the absence of an adequate inspectorate body
these words amount to little more than an empty threat."
Ciarán Cuffe also stated that Ireland is yet to ratify The International
Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of
their Families, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 1990.
"Ireland must ratify this Convention as soon as possible to ensure the rights
of migrant workers and help in preventing a reoccurrence of a situation like
that experienced by the GAMA workers".
If you would like to read the full Immigration Policy document, please click here.
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