Forced labour or slavery is a global problem – and Ireland is no exception. According to the International Labour Organisation, about 1.2 million people are modern day slaves. And although there are no numbers for Ireland, the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) has dealt with 150 cases in the past six years – and five new cases this year alone.
However, there are believed to be many unreported incidents of forced labour, and no industry is thought to be exempt from exploiting their employees.
Most recently, a case came before the Labour Court where a migrant worker was forced to work 77 hours a week for just 51 cents an hour without a contract or social insurance. His employer also subjected the migrant worker to threats.
Signs of forced labour in the workplace include threats of or actual physical harm to workers; restriction of movement or confinement; bonded labour; pay below the minimum wage; hazardous work; withholding of wages or excessive wage deductions; retention of identity and travel documents; and excessive working hours and/or limited holidays.
Doras Luimní, an NGO promoting and protecting the rights of all migrants in Ireland, supports the MRCI’s wish to have Ireland implement laws similar to Britain’s new legislation on slavery and servitude, which gives police the power to act on suspicions.
The Irish Government, however, does recognise this exploitative phenomenon. On 9 September, the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration announced that the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority are merging together to create the Human Rights and Equality Commission in order to promote human rights in a more effective, efficient and cohesive manner.
But organisations like Doras Luimní, while supporting the move, are somewhat wary that this has more to do with saving money than helping people.
Those who are interested in human rights issues are encouraged to attend Doras Luimní’s live screening of Ireland’s Universal Periodic Review on the morning of Thursday 6 October at Pery’s Hotel in Limerick.
The event will include a talk by Dr Edel Hughes from University of Limerick’s Schools School of Law about the review and its consequences.
