Migrant groups warn of exploitation in Ireland
Migrants' groups are warning that Ireland's fishing industry is not the only sector exploiting workers.
Today is International Day for the Abolition of Slavery and statistics show there have been more than 200 cases of forced labour here over the last seven years.
Last month the Government was forced to set up a task force to investigate allegations of human trafficking on Irish fishing boats after the Guardian newspaper revealed evidence of abuse.
But a recent study by the Migrants Rights Centre also uncovered employees being mistreated in security jobs, domestic roles and the restaurant business.
Spokesperson Gráinne O'Toole has said undocumented workers are particularly vulnerable to exploitation.
“Recently we assisted a domestic worker who was working for a family 24/7,” she said.
“She lost all her independence, she was required to work even during the night, had to share her room with the child she was caring for and it wasn’t paid because she had no status in the country.
“Although she came here legally, they failed to update her permit and she was left with nothing.”
