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Protecting migrants

CALLS have been made for an om- budsman to be appointed to protect the rights of migrant workers and prevent a repeat of the situation which saw GAMA employees work- ing on the Ennis bypass being paid less than the minimum wage.

North Clare Councillor Martin Conway (FG) wants an ombudsman to be appointed as “a matter of ur- gency’. Following the recent ap- pointment of Ireland’s first Garda Ombudsman last month, Conway believes that an ombudsman for mi- grant workers would be a positive step.

Conway was the first public repre- sentative to highlight the plight of the Turkish workers who were involved in the construction of the Ennis by- pass through a notice of motion ta- bled by the north Clare councillor in

2005.

“It was amazing how a simple no- tice of motion at a council meeting helped trigger a follow-up set of cir- cumstances which ended up helping a whole community of workers get what they were entitled to anyway,” he said.

“With this in mind, I believe that there should be an ombudsman for immigrant workers set up as a matter OMT ESXes Neate

“Such an office properly funded with adequate language interpret- ers and real power would be a very important office for protecting the rights of non-national workers.

“It would provide a vehicle for non- national workers to ensure that their rights were being respected by Gov- ernment departments and other arms of the State which may take advan- tage of the fact that they are non-na- tionals with poor English.”

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Network meeting

A NEW organisation of Clare wom- en in business is aiming to help re- dress some of the historic problems faced by women in their profession- al capacity.

The Clare branch of Network ORE VICeRMAWYeb Cel eMay c-Kenol Mn tlOmsDImyaNe Ure will host its third meeting in the Old Ground Hotel tomorrow evening.

The group operates through a mixture of networking and mentor- ing, with the ultimate aim of helping more females reach their business potential.

“Women understand what it is like to be in business, they are great multitaskers and it is nice to meet with people who face the same chal- lenges as we do in the workplace,” said chairwoman, Sarah Malone.

‘A company works best when there

is a mixture of men and women. Is- sues such as childcare and leave can effect how far a woman can rise in the workplace. It is a very difficult situation.

“We need more childcare and more affordable childcare, it is one of our key issues.”

In the wake of the general elec- tion, the organisation presented each Government department with a list of qualified women willing it sit on the boards of State organisa- tions.

Tomorrow’s meeting will be ad- dressed by Hilary O’Carroll from The Image Factor and Clare woman Dorinda Bourke, who will speak about her business, Fab Shape.

The meeting takes place tomor- row evening, June 6, from 8pm. En- trance 1s free for members and €10 for non-members.