Meat Industry Ireland (MII), the body representing meat factories, has made a submission to the Department of Business to double the number of work permits for non-EU workers.

MII is seeking an additional 1,500 permits after its previous quota of 1,500 permits was exhausted and has cited the “illegal blockades” outside factories this year as part of the reason.

The labour market in Ireland continues to tighten significantly as the economy has moved to full employment

Up to 3,000 staff were temporarily laid off at the height of the protests and despite requests by SIPTU, a temporary unemployment fund was not created to support workers – many of whom were foreign workers not entitled to social welfare.

“Significant numbers of staff were also lost during August/September when illegal blockades forced a halt in processing operations, with resulting temporary lay-offs taking place,” MII said. “In the context of this critical labour shortage, State assistance through the employment permit system is essential”.

Brazil

Department of Business figures show most of the meat operatives availing of the permit system are from Brazil. Despite recruitment efforts by MII, the Irish workforce and workers in other EU countries do not appear to be keen to work in meat factories.

MII said: “The labour market in Ireland continues to tighten significantly as the economy has moved to full employment. Similarly, there has been a continued decline in available labour from European countries”.

General meat operatives employed under the permit scheme must be paid at least €22,000 and provided with language classes if required.

The Department of Business also granted 300 permits for meat deboners; to date 197 of those have been issued.

The Department did not provide an exact date on when a decision on additional permits would be made but stated “a report will be submitted to the Minister for her consideration in the near future.”

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