The number of racist attacks on migrant workers in Northern Ireland has snowballed in recent years, equality chiefs said today.
A total of 813 racist attacks were reported to the PSNI in 2004/05 - an increase of 79.5 per cent on the previous year. But experts believe the figure may be far greater as many incidents go unreported.
A week-long campaign will encourage employers to address the harassment and discrimination faced by thousands of foreign nationals.
The Equality Commission said the growing number of migrant workers make a valuable contribution to the economy and are transforming the province into a multicultural society.
Evelyn Collins, chief executive of the Equality Commission, said: "Employers and trade unions in Northern Ireland have had years of experience working with the commission to maintain a non-sectarian environment in our workplaces.
"Hopefully we can build on that experience to ensure that the racism exhibited by a minority of people on our streets is not allowed to poison the atmosphere in our factories, offices and farms."
In 2003-2004 6,849 non-UK nationals applied for National Insurance numbers but by 2004/05 the figure had more than doubled to 16,440.
In the first three months of the new financial year - April to June - the figure was 8,978. Department for Social Development statistics recorded National Insurance applications were received from more than 120 countries.
A large number of Polish, Portuguese and Lithuanian citizens work in Portadown, Co Armagh, and Dungannon, Co Tyrone.
PA