Labour Relations Practices and Migrant Workers in Ireland

Abstract

The growth of global economic activity has resulted in a world-wide increase in migration. This economic expansion has been welcome but at the same time has brought new challenges. Ireland, once regarded as a country of emigration, is now an economy dependent on the labour of non-Irish workers. In 2003 over 47,000 work permits were issued. In comparative terms, Ireland¿s current rate of immigration per capita is double that of the United States. Yet, there are two contrasting images of non-national workers in Ireland. On the one hand, non- Irish national workers are viewed as a source of cheap labour, easily disposable and found in the tertiary labour market. On the other hand there exists the image of such workers as highly skilled and central to Ireland¿s economic boom of recent years. Despite conflicting media reports, there remains little detailed research on labour relations practices as experienced by non-Irish workers.