Green card

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http://www.irishexaminer.com/pport/w...bBP-2fa91M.asp

24/06/05
Foreign workers get green cards in crackdown

By Harry McGee, Political Editor
THE State will issue green cards to foreign workers for the first time, under a major reform of employment permits legislation to be announced next week.

Under the changes, thousands of high-skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) will be granted green cards over the next decade.

The Employment Permits Bill 2005, brought to Cabinet last Tuesday by Enterprise and Employment Minister Micheál Martin, will also radically overhaul the work permits regime for foreign workers not entitled to green cards.

The Irish Examiner understands it will also address questionable employer practices, like those of Turkish company Gama, which have led to the exploitation of workers and allegations of ‘bonded labour’.

Under the provisions, employers will still apply for, and hold, work permits. However, workers will now be entitled to have a copy.

Moreover, employers will no longer be allowed to retain passports or other documentation belonging to the worker. And deducting money from wages for ‘recruitment fees’, or travel and accommodation expenses, will also be banned.

The decision not to change the practice of issuing permits to employers will attract some criticism. But Government sources indicated last night that it was the most practical way of regulation. They also pointed out that the changes will give foreign workers a legally recognised status, stronger rights, and more flexibility if they want to change jobs.

If they switch, however, the new employer will still be required to apply for a new permit. But Government sources said situations where workers believe they are effectively indentured to their employer will no longer arise.

Much stiffer penalties to deter sharp practices will also be introduced, with fines of up to ?50,000.

Mr Martin has made reform of the employment permits regime one of his key priorities since taking over the portfolio last September.

He will provide the first sound statutory framework for employing foreign workers, replacing a regulatory system that struggled to cope with the huge influx in the past decade.

The green cards will be issued only to skilled workers for sectors of the economy where shortages have been identified. The minister will be responsible for deciding the quotas and making directions on the number and types of permits that will be issued.

The cards will be issued for a minimum of five years and allow the holder to seek work, without seeking a sponsoring employer. It’s likely that specialists working in engineering, pharmaceutical, research, and health will benefit.