Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Business, Enterprise and Innovation Robert Troy has called on Minister Humphreys to review her Department’s policy on issuing seasonal work permits to people from non-EEA countries in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deputy Troy said the recent arrival of seasonal fruit pickers into the country has caused widespread concern particularly given the stringent restrictions placed on travel. He also said it was important that the hundreds of thousands of workers who had been temporarily laid off be given every opportunity to take up such employment should they wish.
He explained, “In May 2018, a pilot quota-based scheme was introduced to remove the occupations of horticulture worker, meat processing operative and dairy farm assistant from the ineligible occupations list. The scheme allows workers from non-EEA countries to access employment opportunities.
“Each year hundreds of permits are provided for fruit and vegetable pickers, dairy farm assistants, meat processing operatives and deboners. The sectors they work in say that without these workers their crops and produce would turn to waste.
“However, given the current pandemic it does not make sense that permits would continue to be granted to hundreds of workers to come here from outside the EU.
“The Government are asking the Irish people to upend their lives to try and stop the lethal spread of this virus. The public have been unbelievable in their collective adherence to the new rules, we cannot risk undermining this by allowing hundreds of people cross a continent to come work here at this time.
“Minister Humphreys must review her Departments policy on granting these work permits and if necessary, should pause all such permits until such a time as current restrictions are lifted,” he concluded.
