Call to postpone work rule changes

A CAMPAIGN calling on the Government to postpone changes to the employment permit scheme has been launched by the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland.

New rules are to be introduced on June 1st which will make it more difficult for non-EEA workers to obtain Irish work permits.

The changes would make it almost impossible for non-EEA migrants who are made redundant to get another job, MRCI chairman Rev Bobby Gilmore said in a letter urging supporters to write to Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan.

“Many people and their families will be forced to leave Ireland or will have no other choice but to stay and work informally,” Rev Gilmore said. The plans would create another excluded group in Irish society and send a message that they are disposable, he added.

MRCI said it is not opposed to restrictions in the system but believes there are alternatives which would not cause such hardship and uncertainty.

The new rules will affect existing and incoming non-EEA migrants. It will require employers to advertise longer for Irish staff before offering a job to or getting a reissued visa for a migrant worker.

Permits will no longer be issued for most lower-paid and some middle-income workers.

Existing non-EEA migrants who are made redundant will have up to three months to seek alternative employment, a Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment spokeswoman told The Irish Times yesterday.

If a redundant person’s occupation was no longer eligible for a visa they would still be allowed to apply for a new work permit from among occupations in that ineligible list, the spokeswoman added.