Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I note that in her amendments, the Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, offers a definition of "seasonally recurrent employment". I know the amendments are to move that definition. It is an aspect of the Bill that we have concerns about. It is important that we do not see a pattern of abuse of seasonal work permits where workers are left in a situation of constant precarity and insecurity. I emphasise that employment is more than just a source of income. It is the basis on which people build their lives. It is the space in which they form relationships and community ties. It is a key, main opportunity for social integration for migrants. It is the basis on which people access housing and it is difficult to access housing in the State. We do not want a situation where persons have insecure contracts which stop them from accessing their rights and from building secure livelihoods. That is why this amendment will ask that there be a report specifically examining the conditions and wages of workers who hold permits for seasonal work.The policy has to be understood in the context of these factors. I refer to an RTÉ report which has said that of 2.7 million people in employment, 20% are non-Irish nationals, yet there is inequality in terms of accessing secure contracts. When people are more vulnerable in the sense of being dependent on a work permit that may not be secure, they are often vulnerable in the dynamic they have with their employer. We work quite hard to try to ensure that people have secure contracts and rights. If, every few months, someone has to re-enter and reapply, we are almost the point where a person is dependent on the good wishes of an employer to hire them again and again. That can create a troubling power dynamic.

IHREC and the ESRI report monitoring decent work identified key dimensions, namely access to work, adequate warnings, employee voice, security and stability of voice, equality of opportunity and treatment in employment, and health and safety. Those are the key factors to consider when we look at the workplace. I would suggest they should be examined when we look at how these seasonal work permits are panning out and what the impacts are on employee voice, in particular, the security and stability of work and equality of opportunity. In terms of the ESRI's study, Wages and Working Conditions of Non-nationals in Ireland - the term should of course be non-Irish nationals - we know that migrants are more likely to end up in situations of shift work with shorter job tenures, and tend to earn 18% to 20% less. These are issues to be addressed. The European Social Charter has been really clear on the right to just conditions of work, safe working conditions and the right to fair remuneration. I also note that the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination is very clear on ensuring there is just and equal treatment in the workplace for all.

I am asking the Minister of State to examine this issue carefully, to look at how it is panning out and to ensure that we do not create a tool for inequality in the workplace, and that we do not treat human beings as if they are simply a tap we can turn on and off rather than the people who are helping us to build a nation collectively. This is really important. On the seasonal piece, we have seen how it has been exploited and abused in other parts of the world such as California in respect of the exploitation of seasonal workers. I am hoping the Bill will become an opportunity for positive conditions and positive enforcement of terms and conditions. I urge the Minister of State to accept my amendment or, if she cannot do so, to indicate that she will be providing a report and coming back to us in this House.