Congress Welcomes Work Permit Reform
24 Jan 2007
New measures deliver on Towards 2016 commitment
Congress has welcomed the introduction of a new scheme that will see migrant workers applying for and owning their own work permits.
Under the new regulations, migrant workers from outside the EU will be free to apply for their own permits and to transfer between employments. The new scheme will also see the workers enjoying better protection than previously.
Speaking after the announcement, Congress General Secretary David Begg said: "It is good to see government delivering on a key commitment from Towards 2016. This is something we have consistently called for, a key demand which we put on the table when negotiations on Towards 2016 opened.
"Previously, where the employer held the permit, the migrant worker was wide open to abuse and exploitation. Too many of them suffered that fate and, being bound to an abusive employer, were powerless to change employment or even complain as the employer could simply revoke the permit. That system was unacceptable and we are glad to see to back of it," Mr Begg said.
The new provisions, announced today by Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Micheal Martin, will also see the migrant workers receiving full information on their rights and afforded better protection.
For example, employers will no longer be able to hold key documents, such as passports and workers cannot be charged recruitment costs, which had been a common practice.
However, the new scheme does not yet cover international students, many of whom enrol for English language courses here, while being permitted to work 20 hours per week. But there is evidence that these provisions are abused, with some 'language schools' acting as de facto employment agencies.
Towards 2016 contains commitments to better regulate this sector, a commitment reiterated by Minister Martin at today's launch.