Siptu president Jack O'Connor has called for restrictions on the right of Romanians and Bulgarians to work here after their countries' expected entry to the EU next year.
Mr O'Connor said unfettered access should not be extended to migrant workers from the two countries until measures to protect Irish workers had been strengthened.
Proposed improvements in labour regulation in the new partnership agreement "Towards 2016" must first be converted into legislation and new policing measures introduced, he told a union conference in Dublin yesterday.
Although no enactment has yet been made, the Government is widely expected to introduce restrictions on workers from Romania and Bulgaria.
Mr O'Connor said the exploitation of migrant workers through outsourcing of work to employment agencies was the common ingredient in all the recent assaults on workers' pay and conditions.
Vulnerable migrant labour was being exploited to drive down pay levels and dismantle pensions as part of a "neo-liberal project" being promoted in Ireland.
"[This is] a slick device for transferring public utilities, public services and public wealth into the hands of the powerful and wealthy at the immediate expense of those who work in them, and ultimately at the expense of all those who must use them after the private monopolists have consolidated their grip."
"Let no one have any doubt about it. After the election this pernicious policy will be driven through in public transport, the health services and anywhere else that a quick buck can be made from selling off the country's services and assets. These public asset-strippers are coming to a job near you; make no mistake about it."
The break-up of Aer Rianta and the privatisation of Aer Lingus pandered to the demands of the most powerful financial interests in society, as well as suiting the interests of Ryanair, he said.
Mr O'Connor called for greater investment in training, education and skills enhancement, saying Irish industry had an appalling record in these areas.
"If we don't lead the campaign for greater investment, we will allow the laziest, greediest, the most short-sighted and socially irresponsible elements in managements to determine the direction of our economy by default," he said.
"Instead of investing in personnel, research and equipment they will take short-cuts to bigger profits by dismantling pension funds and replacing staff by outsourcing work to disreputable employment agencies."
