The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has said it would take a "very sympathetic" view of the cases of some 130 Ukrainians who are facing deportation because the work permits they paid up to $5,000 for are forgeries.
Meanwhile, their case has given rise to calls for a reform of the work-permit system, including that permits be issued to potential workers rather than employers.
The 130 Ukrainians who arrived in Ireland since late last year believed the permits they received via the Vittor recruitment agency in Kiev were genuine.
Though passed as genuine by the Irish honorary consulate in Kiev, immigration officials at Dublin Airport and by gardaí, the Ukrainians found they were fake shortly after arriving in Ireland.
They have been unable to work and face deportation, each with debts of between $1,500 and $5,000 at home. They say they face extreme danger if they return without the means to repay money they borrowed from criminals to pay the bogus agency.
Though work permits are meant to be applied for by potential employers while the candidate employee is still outside the State, a spokeswoman said the department took the view that the Ukrainians were "very unfortunate".
She said the work permit section would "consider any applications by employers, and take a very sympathetic and very pragmatic view".
The Ukrainians are desperate not to go home empty-handed. The average salary in the Ukraine is €20 to €30 a month.
The activities of the Vittor agency are being investigated by the Garda National Immigration Bureau, though the Ukrainians interviewed in yesterday's Irish Times say Vittor is still advertising on Ukrainian television.
The Labour Party spokesman on justice, Mr Joe Costello, said it was shocking to discover the number of discrepancies in the procedures which led to this situation.
Mr Kevin Glacken of SIPTU echoed his call, saying the current system gave employers unjust power over workers.
PD senator Mr Tom Morrissey said "the present regime allows for extreme exploitation of permit holders entering this country".
