Campaigns 
Migrant Workers
Friday, 03 September 2010
ICI Board Member Dr Lawrence Lee spoke about migrants wanting to be seen as more than human resources to fill skill shortages in Ireland and to be recognised as full members of Irish Society at our event, "The Challenges of Integration in Post Celtic Tiger Ireland" in Dublin on October 7, 2008.
The ICI has been a leading advocate for legislative reform of the employment permits system to address the exploitation of migrant workers. We have published several important publications related to labour migration, family reunification and the rights and entitlements of migrants living in Ireland.
When the ICI was established in 2001, there was a lack of accurate data and research available to ensure that public debate about labour migration was informed, balanced and evidence-based.
There was also no coherent immigration policy or comprehensive legislation ensuring the adequate protection of the rights and entitlements of migrant workers and their family members in the immigration and residency process.
In recent years, the Government has accepted that existing legislation regulating immigration in Ireland is unsuitable for addressing the current needs of our society and is in need of a comprehensive replacement. It is also clear that the impetus for reforming existing immigration policies has so far been largely labour market driven.
The ICI has called on the Irish Government to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. We believe rules regarding the admission and residence of migrants for the purpose of employment to the benefit of Ireland should be developed in a way that prioritises and safeguards the rights and entitlements of the people concerned. Migrant workers are not economic units but are people, often with families, and are entitled to the protections offered by human rights and labour laws.
The ICI has also highlighted the increasing feminisation of migration and the need for gender impact assessments of legislation and policies affecting migrant workers in Ireland. In particular, the ICI has successfully campaigned for the introduction of spousal dependent work permits for the family members of migrant workers.
Submission: Response to the Consultation Paper on the Migrant Workers Convention, February 2010
Publication: The Feminisation of Migration – Experiences and Opportunities in Ireland, 2007
Publication: Family Matters - Experiences of Family Reunification in Ireland, a critical analysis of Government Policy and Procedure, 2006
Publication: Summary Analysis and Initial Response to the Government's proposals for an Immigration and Residence Bill, 2005
Submission: Briefing Note on the Employment Permit Bill 2005 - Recommended Amendments for Committee Stage
Submission: Briefing Note on the Proposed Employment Permits Bill 2005
Submission: Joint Responses to the Immigration Bill 2004
Publication: Labour Migration - Study and Recommendation on Employment Permits, Working Conditions, Family Reunification and the Integration of Migrant Workers into Ireland, 2003