Smith calls for working group to investigate conditions of migrant workers in ag sector
Labour Party TD for Dublin Fingal, Duncan Smith, has called for a working group with a mandate to investigate the treatment of migrant workers in the agriculture sector.
Deputy Smith said:
“It is my view now that there needs to be a working group established immediately with a mandate to investigate the treatment of migrant workers in the agricultural sector.
“At this time it is difficult to have confidence in the meat industry’s treatment of migrant workers.
“It is now clear that much greater scrutiny and oversight of the working conditions in which migrants working in the agricultural sector are currently experiencing.
“This working group will need to thoroughly investigate issues of workers’ pay, as well as the accommodation and scenarios around the sourcing and provision of these workers’ living conditions.
“The remit of the working group must include whether workers are entitled to engage and join with trade unions and advocacy groups.
This crisis is a situation that has existed prior to the outbreak of COVID19 and the working group should have unfettered access to workers and to workplaces to carry out its purpose.”