Madam, - I would like to make some points in relation to your Editorial "Migrant workers need protection" (April 8th) and your assertion that "most foreign workers are well treated in Ireland".
Firstly, the vast majority of foreign workers in Ireland are filling positions that no Irish worker would take for the minimum wage. The minimum wage was introduced primarily to protect apprentices and young or vulnerable people entering the labour market.
However, most foreign workers are never paid an increase on the minimum even though their engagement can run to several years. Such practices override an employees' reasonable expectation of promotion and gaining valuable experience.
Secondly, the present statutory penalties - supervised by a paltry number of demoralised labour inspectors (as outlined by your Labour Correspondent, Chris Dooley) - are so low as to encourageunscrupulous employers rather than deter them.
This situation is exacerbated by labour relations mechanisms inadequate to deal, for example, with the plight of Ms Orge (Irish Ferries) or the Gama construction workers. Unfortunately, for every migrant like Ms Orge, there are countless others afraid to seek help or approach the authorities. In this respect the trade union movement has more to do.
Furthermore as the employer holds ownership of the work permit, and there is a waiting time of around six months before a case is heard before the Labour Relations Commission, dismissed migrant workers are in a precarious legal limbo and often - without the assistance of documentation such as a redundancy letter - have no access to social welfare support.
All of this tilts the balance of power in favour of unfair employers. A fast-track, statutory arbitration mechanism is urgently required for migrants who at least enter the State on a valid work permit.
Thirdly and most importantly, there is a more serious human issue for Irish people to confront: What is the point in contributing to Third World charities and tsunami fundraising events if the indigenous kin are short-changed on our shores? - Yours, etc.,
CIARAN WALSH, Kincora Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3.