Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House and applaud and congratulate him on the ratification by Ireland today of the International Labour Organization's convention on domestic workers. This is a landmark day for workers' rights, migrants rights and human rights. All too often, we speak about the position of the Irish abroad without making the connection to migrants who come here. This is a proud day and I acknowledge the work of the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland and Domestic Workers Action Group. I also acknowledge the Minister's work in making this day happen and thank him that we have at last ratified this convention.

The Bill addresses some important issues. All too often, the environment is an enabling factor in the abuse of workers and migrant rights, which many of us have seen at first hand. Senators will be aware of the case of Muhammad Younis, the details of which have been outlined in the House by me, Senator Quinn and other Senators. The Bill takes a pragmatic approach to address and modernise our employment laws and, I hope, force out cases of forced labour, which amounts to modern day slavery.

Reading through the Bill brought me back to my experience in the private sector. People think of me as having been involved solely in children's rights, whereas I was a private sector employer for more than 15 years before working in the Children's Rights Alliance. At that time, we found it made more financial sense for us to pay for a highly skilled staff member to fly home to South Africa and renew her work permit at the Irish embassy there than have her go through the procedure here, despite both facilities being State run. The decision to bring employment permits into line and provide for a system of transferring them is a very good one. I also welcome the amendments being introduced to address the case of Mr. Younis and measures relating to migrants. It is welcome to see a Minister link up with other Ministers and portfolios. In that respect, the work being done jointly by the Minister and Minister for Justice and Equality to address deficiencies in the immigration system is very welcome.

I propose to raise the issue of au pairs, which cannot be addressed in the Bill because it falls between many different portfolios. The idea behind having au pairs is to provide for a cultural exchange and I have no difficulties with the system when that is the case. The problem, however, as highlighted by organisations such as the Migrant Rights Centre, is that women are frequently trafficked into the country as au pairs to do domestic chores for in excess of 50 hours per week. This does not reflect the idea behind au pairing, nor does it amount to a cultural exchange. Many au pairs, primarily women, are not vetted and are working with children. Everybody loses out when there is no system of regulation in place. The individuals in question are often not paid or paid a pittance. I have met women who have been locked into houses and abused. I find it very upsetting that these practices are taking place in my country. When one raises this issue, one is told that au pairs do not fit in anywhere because the issue is not an employment matter and does not fall within the area of tourism. We must identify where it fits because the issue of au pairs will have to be addressed, especially as the economy picks up.

The Bill has my full support and I congratulate the Minister on bringing many different elements together in legislation that will regularise employment and ensure people are treated as equal in the workplace. This is something for which all of us stand. I thank the Minister for his work.