The Labour Party leader, Pat Rabbitte, has touched a raw nerve. Public concern over the displacement of Irish workers and the erosion of pay and working conditions through the use of migrant labour has surfaced strongly in the findings of the latest Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll.
While a majority of people still regard the presence of foreign workers as both good for the economy and good for society, nearly three-quarters of those surveyed want new controls to be put in place.
The findings, reflecting largely positive but some negative attitudes, emphasise the importance of having a rational public debate to address real and unfounded fears within the community and to provide information on the Government's long-term policies in relation to migrant workers. Doing so now, while the economy is growing strongly and public attitudes to immigrants are generally favourable, would provide a positive impetus to future developments.
According to official employment and skills agencies, an inflow of 50,000 workers will be required each year to keep the economy growing in a healthy fashion. But events surrounding the Irish Ferries dispute and the displacement of Irish workers raised fears about what might happen elsewhere if there was a downturn in the economy. At the same time, trade unions have demanded greater legislative protection for workers and the enforcement of employment standards.
As might be expected, a negative attitude towards immigrants was most pronounced among the lower-paid, because of a greater level of competition for jobs and for hard-to-find accommodation. But three-quarters of upper-income earners also favour the introduction of work permits for the new EU states while one in five believe that too many foreign workers are based here. Such concerns are understandable in a society in rapid transition which suffers from inadequate health, education and housing services. They emphasise the need for official action to assist in the protection and integration of immigrants while, at the same time, supporting and reassuring local communities.
Negotiations on a new social partnership agreement will, inevitably, be influenced by these concerns. While employers will be anxious to maintain competitiveness, trade unions will seek to protect wage levels and working conditions. Already, there are indications that a constructive approach will be taken by the Government in addressing these issues, and IBEC has signalled that it does not wish to engage in a so-called "race to the bottom".
The Government is extremely unlikely to introduce work permits, given its initial decision to allow free access from the 10 new EU states. But, if social tensions are to be eased, it must ensure - through research, legislation and rigorous inspections - that migrant workers are neither exploited when they come here nor seen as a threat to existing pay and conditions.