The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has written to the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, urging him to take action on the increasing violence and aggression against minorities.
Recent months have seen a spate of violent assaults and hate crimes against minorities across Ireland, and, increasingly, workers from a minority background are facing verbal and physical attacks travelling to and from their workplaces.
Congress President Phil NÍ Sheaghdha has now written to Minister Jim O’Callaghan in relation to union members’ safety on public transport and safety in public spaces, calling for implementation of the SIPTU campaign “Respect Transport Workers” for increased security on public transport.
The campaign calls for:
- The Establishment of a Public Transport Charter, setting out what behaviours are considered unacceptable on public transport.
- Establishment of a Transport Forum, to advise the National Transport Authority on matters relating to public transport.
- Establish a dedicated Transport Policing Service.
Commenting, Congress President and General Secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, Phil NÍ Sheaghdha, said:
“Every worker, no matter their background, should feel safe travelling to and from work. Sadly, more and more we hear from members who find themselves threatened or worse, while on public transport.
“The nature of our members’ work requires many to travel to and from their workplaces late in the evening, with many nurses finishing shifts between 8pm and 9pm. This unquestionably increases the vulnerability of migrant nurses to the effects of hostility and anti-social behaviour.
“This is an issue of public safety, but also of workers' rights. It’s clear the Government is looking to project a tough line on migration, but without action, it risks being a soft touch when it comes to worker safety. We are urging the Minister to seriously examine proposals, including assessing the penalties that apply to convictions under hate crime legislation, to ensure that everyone is safe on public transport.”
To read the full letter, click here.
