Agricultural Workers

 


Agriculture Workers Association

The Agricultural Workers Association emerged in response to the high levels of exploitation and social exclusion experienced by migrant workers employed in the mushroom growing sectors and other areas of agriculture in Ireland. The group works closely with the trade union movement to ensure fair pay, safe and healthy farms, and decent working conditions for all agriculture workers in Ireland.  The Association grew from an action group initially established to respond to high levels of exploitation of migrant workers within the mushroom growing industry in Ireland. See MRCI's report: Harvesting Justice - Mushroom Workers Call for Change (2006)


Collaboration with SIPTU in the Mushroom Industry
In 2009, MRCI initiated a collaborative project with the trade union SIPTU to improve and strengthen the organisation of mushroom workers in Ireland. The majority of mushroom workers in Ireland are migrant women. Working in partnership, SIPTU and MRCI have made strides in bringing mushroom workers together, building and developing leadership, and empowering workers to take action to ensure that their rights at the workplace are respected. Conditions and pay for workers have improved dramatically, and organising and leadership development work continues to progress.


Outreach to Agricultural Workers in North County Dublin
In 2010 MRCI began outreach to farmworkers in the north County Dublin, one of the most productive agricultural areas in Ireland. Hundreds of migrant farmworkers are employed on the fruit and vegetable farms in the region. Bi-lingual outreach workers engaged with workers from across the region to speak with workers and educate and inform them of their rights and entitlements. Outreach to migrant farm workers in this area is ongoing

Agricultural Joint Labour Committee
The Migrant Rights Centre in conjunction with SIPTU has been a member of the Agricultural Joint Labour Committee since 2007. The Agricultural JLC sets the basic terms and conditions for agricultural workers in the country. (Link to labour court Ag JLC)