Irish students are now working more than ever during course time to finance their studies, according to new research released by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).
According to the survey, 57 per cent of students are engaged in part-time work, often working up to twenty hours a week on top of lectures and study time.
The survey shows that 57 per cent of respondents engaged in part-time work with 29 per cent working up to 10 hours a week. 46 per cent worked between 11 and 20 hours a week, 20 per cent worked between 21 and 30 hours a week, while 3 per cent worked between 31 and 40 hrs a week.
Sixteen per cent were working below the minimum wage, the survey shows.
USI said it was particularly concerned that one in five students is working 30 hours a week with a further five per cent effectively working in full-time jobs.
"The most disturbing statistic is that 16 per cent of respondents were also working below the minimum wage, Mr Colm Jordan, President, USI said.
"Such exploitation is disgraceful as we enter 2003 and should be stamped out immediately.
"We would like to remind students that as members of USI they are also members of SIPTU, and should immediately report any employer paying less than the minimum wage of 6.35 per hour or indeed any other problems they may experience in the workplace. "