Immigrant workers were urged yesterday by a trade union leader to join the "fight for social justice". Mr Mike Jennings, SIPTU's south-east regional secretary, said an increasing number of immigrant workers were approaching the union to complain about exploitation by employers. Many, however, were reluctant to supply the names of their employers or take matters further.
Mr Jennings was addressing a May Day rally at the People's Park in Waterford, in which members of the city's Kosovan community took part.
He said Irish people owed immigrants "a welcome, solidarity, support and friendship". But, in turn, immigrants "owe us the courage to stand up and identify cases in which they are being exploited".
He said summer traditionally brought an increase in cases of exploitation because of the long hours and low pay experienced by many workers in the hotel and catering trade. He called on the Department of Enterprise and Employment to double its number of inspectors carrying out checks to ensure that legislation is enforced on minimum wage and working hours. "At present there are only about 17 such inspectors, and this is at a time when SIPTU is coming across more and more cases of exploitation of both Irish and immigrant workers," said Mr Jennings.
Immigrant workers have been approaching the union to ascertain their entitlements. "They tell us when they are not getting them, but they are afraid in a lot of cases to name the employer. When they do we notify the Department and it is frustrating when we get this kind of information and cannot act," he said.
The theme of the Waterford rally was "Celebrate May Day, One People, One Planet and Globalise Resistance". Other speakers included the Green Party TD Mr John Gormley; the Waterford-born playwright Jim Nolan; Mr Seamus Healy TD; and a representative of the Travelling community, Ms Mary Connors.
Entertainment was provided by a number of groups, including children from the city's Kosovan community. Sponsors of the event included Spraoi, the Waterford Council of Trade Unions, political parties and the WIT students' union.
