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Research highlights impact of migration on Irish workplace

Posted on 24/07/09
University of Leicester

A new study at the University of Leicester is investigating the impact of migrants on workplaces in Ireland.

The study by Mary Prendergast in the Centre for Labour Market Studies highlights the challenges faced by all Irish employers in relation to their non-Irish workers and the strategies of some of these employers to come to terms with their new workforces.

She said: Ireland has been fortunate in recent years to have a growing number of migrants from both EU and non-EU countries who are willing to work in the country. These workers have made important contributions to Irish organisations and Irish society in general. However, Irish organisations are confronted with the challenge of coping with this rapidly changing workforce.

My research has found that when it comes to training, such as that required by statute, Human Resource Development professionals must ensure compliance and transfer of learning into the workplace despite any differences in approaches, values, attitudes and language which exist.

The obligation to ensure understanding of instruction and training places a significant burden on organisations where there is often a lack of understanding of the cultural differences and indeed the language difficulties of these workers.

Ms Prendergast added that the future impacts of migration will depend on a broad range of factors, including general economic conditions and the socio-economic profile of migrants.

She said: Much will also depend on government policy and how migration is managed, and Ireland will need to take a proactive approach to migration management. The policies and practices in relation to the training and development of non-Irish workers are paramount to this success.

Ms Prendergast presented her research at the Festival of Postgraduate Research at the University of Leicester.