Anti-Racism

 


Racism and its impact on the lives of migrant workers is a matter of grave concern for all societies. The principles of anti racism and equality underpin all of MRCI's work. Specifically, we seek to raise awareness of the impact of racism on the lives of migrant workers and their families, e.g. racism in the workplace, discrimination in accessing public services, the intersection between gender inequality and racism. We document and support migrant workers and their families to report and act on racist incidents. MRCI also supports migrant workers to seek redress for racial discrimination and exploitation related to employment.

MRCI is an active member of the European Network Against Racism (ENAR) based in Brussels, and acted as Secretariat for the Irish Network Against Racism (formerly ENAR Ireland) for several years until the recent appointment of an independent coordinator, Catherine Lynch. For more on INAR go to www.enarireland.org

MRCI continues to actively support INAR, through membership of its steering group, by providing administrative support, and by participating in the implementation of ENAR Ireland's work programme. MRCI is also represented on ENAR's Policy and Media Group based in Brussels.

MRCI also undertakes research and analysis into emerging issues in the area of racism. We are currently conducting exploratory research into the existence of ethnic profiling, and its impact on the lives of migrant workers and their families, to be published in December 2010. MRCI also produced a policy paper on structural racism: Racism and Migrant Workers in Ireland


Racism and employment

There is considerable evidence to show that migrant workers have been hindered from accessing employment because of racism. A number of research reports, as well as MRCI's experience, show that non-Irish nationals are more likely to experience discrimination while looking for work. Moreover, migrant workers experience difficulties asserting their employment rights, and are vulnerable to racism in the workplace. One factor that contributes significantly to these types of racism and discrimination is the work permit system in Ireland. The way this is designed, and in particular the way in which it binds a migrant worker to a particular employer, exacerbates migrant workers' vulnerability to racism and workplace exploitation.

Manifestations of racism and discrimination in the workplace can take many forms. Some can be explicit, e.g. name-calling, assaults, threatening behavior and incitement to hatred. There are also more subtle forms, such as maintaining migrants in lower-paid less valued jobs within the workplace, or migrants not being considered for promotion within the job. For migrant women there is the additional concern of gender discrimination such as unequal pay, sexism in the workplace, sexual harassment and pregnancy-related discrimination, with some migrant women having been unfairly dismissed as a result of becoming pregnant. Accessing redress for migrant workers is especially difficult, with a waiting period in the Equality Tribunal of two years, compounded by the additional pressure of maintaining a legal status in the country in situations where a person has had to leave their employment, and the absence of interpreting supports in the Labour Relations Commission and Employment Appeals Tribunal.

For practical information on racism in the workplace and how to report racist incidents go to Information for Migrants



Accessing public services


Unequal treatment in accessing public services has a direct bearing on the lived experiences and social status of any individual or groups. While most frontline service providers are respectful and aim to deliver services without prejudice, direct experiences of racism are a reality for many migrant workers. This can take many different forms, such as the manner and tone used by officials, prejudiced behaviour and being denied services.

Racism in the delivery of public services is also evident in the policies shaping access to these services. The Habitual Residency Condition (HRC) is of particular concern for migrant workers. The HRC may appear to be blind to ‘race' and nationality because all applicants for assistance must satisfy the condition. However, the discretionary nature of HRC criteria leads to migrant workers being disproportionately affected by its application, and contributes to them being pushed into poverty.


Ethnic or ‘racial' profiling

The European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance has defined ethnic or ‘racial' profiling as the "use by the police, with no objective and reasonable justification, of grounds such as race, colour, language, religion, nationality or national or ethnic origin, in control, surveillance, or investigative activities." Although it is difficult to ascertain precise levels of ethnic profiling of immigrants, various reports and anecdotal evidence indicate that it is increasing. A European Union Minorities and Discrimination Survey identified that the rate at which people from Sub Saharan Africa are being arbitrarily stopped and asked for identification in Ireland was the highest for any ethnic minority in the EU. Justification for ethnic and racial profiling is often made on the basis of countering terrorism, criminality and irregular migration. There are, however, a number of studies that seriously question the effectiveness of ethnic profiling - see Open Society Justice Initiative report.

Singled Out: Exploratory study on ethnic profiling in Ireland and its impact on migrant workers and their families
A new report by MRCI has highlighted that ethnic profiling, a form of racial discrimination, is being facilitated by the Irish state. The report, ‘Singled Out,’ is an exploratory study on ethnic profiling in Ireland. It gives shocking insights to the treatment of Black and ethnic minority communities travelling to and from Northern Ireland and in police/immigration/security checks in the Republic.  Observation work identified that Black and members of ethnic minority communities were the focus of discriminatory checks on trains, buses and on the street.

See full press release: Irish Immigration Law Breaches UN Convention of Human Rights, Says New Report by MRCI

Download report


Media Coverage:
RTE Six One News: Migrants Suffering from Ethnic Profiling
Irish Times 26.03.11: 'I told him I was an Irish citizen and left my passport at home. He didn't believe me'
Irish Examiner 28.03.11: Report claims discrimination against immigrants
Irish Examiner Opinion Siobhan O'Donoghue 28.03.11 - Singled out for being different
Irish Examiner Opinion 29.03.11 - Challenge of emigration - our history shows us how to behave


  

Reporting racist incidents

There is currently a significant gap both in legislation, policy and institutional structures, in terms of responding to racist incidents. In MRCI's experience the majority of racist incidents fall into the category of verbal harassment, which is difficult to verify. In addition, many migrants are reluctant to report racist incidents to An Garda Síochána who also act as immigration officers.
The National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI) operated a national racist incident reporting mechanism but this finished when the NCCRI was closed in 2008. In response, ENAR Ireland has developed a system for reporting racist incidents. As a non -governmental organisation, ENAR Ireland believes it is important to have an independent system where people can report racist incidents. People can also make reports anonymously. For further information on how to report racist, contact Catherine, ENAR Ireland, 01 8897110 or e-mail enarireland@gmail.com
Racist incidents can be reported formally to An Garda Síochána at your local Garda station or the Garda Racial and Intercultural Unit.

For more information on what do do if you have experienced a racist incident go to Information for Migrants