The "fear factor" causing non-nationals anxiety about losing their work permits means that only a small number of cases of racism in the workplace are taken to the Equality Agency, according to Meath Council of Trades Councils Chairman, Anton McCabe, a member of SIPTU's anti-racism working group.
Mr McCabe, who investigates instances of racial discrimination in the workplace throughout the country, claimed discrimination in wage rates and working hours against non-nationals had risen 600 per cent nationally.
If an employee took steps to inform the authorities about racial bias, the employer often threatened not to renew a work permit, particularly in the case of women workers, said Mr McCabe.
The boss of one firm in North Meath employing mainly females from Latvia and Ukraine was taking their rent money and paying them less than Irish workers.
"The minimum wage rather than the higher national wage appears to have become the norm where non-nationals are concerned," said Mr McCabe.
His union wants a monitoring agency established to keep a close watch on working conditions for non-nationals. SIPTU has applied to the Equality Authority and the Department of Enterprise and Labour to insure that wages and working conditions are equal for all workers, regardless of nationality.
Most non-nationals are employed in small firms in the agricultural, horticultural and meat industries.