The recent introduction of a regularisation scheme and increased mobility for employment permit holders has helped prevent the irregular employment of migrant workers, a report has found.
Research published on Tuesday by European Migration Network Ireland and Esri (Economic and Social Research Institute), shows that the irregular employment of non-EU nationals occurs across a range of sectors in Ireland, particularly in food service and within small enterprises.
The food service activity sector accounted for 54 per cent of employment permit law breaches in 2023 with 12 per cent in hair and beauty, and 11 per cent in wholesale, the report found.
Irregular employment presents problems for the state in terms of tax revenue and regulation, whether it is undertaken by Irish or non-Irish nationals.
The report includes situations in which non-EU nationals are employed in undeclared work, work outside the conditions of their residence permits, or work while irregularly residing in the country.
The report stated that for non-EU nationals, working in an irregular situation can create precarity, including difficulties accessing social security.
Undocumented workers may also be reluctant to report poor working conditions because of a fear of losing their job or being deported, it went on to say.
Employment inspections are led by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), to check compliance with employment law.
In 2023, 4,727 employment inspection cases were undertaken and 293...
Trump Truth Social posts continue to spark explosive reactions from Democrats and Republicans alike. Just this month, a racist video depicting the Obamas triggered unprecedented bipartisan backlas...