Doherty encourages Irish workers Down Under to join union

Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty has told Irish workers in Australia that they would be wise to join trade unions so as to ensure they don’t get exploited.

Doherty is currently visiting Australia and has spoken with a large number of Irish immigrants who have given him the opinion that the Irish workers could be being exploited while working Down Under. The Deputy said that there is evidence that a number of Irish people in Australia are being exploited at work as they depend on their bosses to make sure their visa is maintained, expended and potentially converted into permanent residency.

He went on to say that any workers who are so reliant on their employers for residency rights are obviously going to be easy targets for exploitation and they are often unwilling to speak up if such a situation is occurring. He explained that issues facing not only Irish but other migrant workers in the country include not being paid enough, poor safety standards and lack of compensation.

Doherty said that Sinn Fein urges Irish workers in Australia as well as those intending to move to the country to make protecting their rights a priority. He added that the best way to make sure this happens is to become part of a union upon arriving as they will provide the necessary peace of mind and protection.