Irish trade unionists were today urged to put pressure on employers who exploit migrant workers for profit.
Delegates at the Irish Congress of Trade Union's conference in Belfast were also asked to put pressure on the British and Irish governments to protect the rights of workers from other countries and combat racism.
Unison's head of organisation and development, Pamela Dooley, said that while some said the plight of migrant workers was a disaster waiting to happen, for others it had already happened. She cited the case of a nurse who committed suicide because of the tretament she received.
“Others face racism on a daily basis from society, from employers, from fellow workers and from government. In the north (of Ireland) we have now witnessed more than one racist killing,” said Ms Dooley.
“To tackle this fundamental denial of rights we face a range of challenges. As a movement we must put pressure on Government to protect the rights of migrant workers. We must exert maximum pressure on employers particularly those content to exploit for profit.”
Ms Dooley's call came just two days after three Polish migrant workers were attacked in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh and their home was damaged.
There has also been harassment and attacks in Northern Ireland against Chinese, Pakistani, Ugandan, Portuguese, Filipino, Lithuanian and Latvian families and workers.
Within the State, there have been protests from Irish construction workers about the treatment of Turkish colleagues by the company, GAMA.
Ms Dooley said trade unions and rights groups needed to work together to tackle all forms of racism including institutional racism.
Both Northern Ireland's and the Irish Republic's economies were dependent on migrant workers, she said. Workers from abroad tended to fill shortages in some of the most unpopular jobs in the health service, in factories, catering services, agricultural labour and trades.
She urged colleagues to re-establish the Anti Racism Network, spearhead a rights campaign with both governments and support a comprehensive bargaining programme.