Ireland has introduced significant changes to its employment permit system, allowing work permit holders to change employers after nine months. This new legislation, part of the Employment Permits Bill 2022, aims to reduce the risk of exploitation and provide greater flexibility for migrant workers.
Previously, workers on General Employment Permits were required to stay with their initial employer for at least 12 months unless exceptional circumstances arose. The new law, which has cleared the final stages of the Oireachtas and is awaiting the president’s signature, will enable workers to switch employers more easily, enhancing their rights and protections.
Edel McGinley, Director of the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI), hailed the legislation as a major victory for migrant workers, emphasizing that the previous system often led to gross exploitation. The MRCI is urging the government to implement the necessary procedures swiftly to ensure workers can benefit from this new provision.
The new law is expected to have a significant impact on various sectors, including healthcare, construction, and food services, where many migrant workers are employed. By allowing workers to change employers more freely, the legislation aims to create a more equitable and fair working environment.
In addition to the changes for work permit holders, the government has also announced that spouses and partners of employment permit holders will now be allowed to work in Ireland. This change, which previously applied only to spouses and partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders, has been extended to include General Employment Permit holders and Intra-Corporate Transferee Permit holders.
The introduction of these measures is seen as a progressive step towards recognizing the contributions of migrant workers and ensuring their rights are protected. The government is also planning to roll out a single permit system that will allow individuals to work and live in Ireland under one permit, simplifying the process and reducing costs for both employers and applicants.
