New Reports Look At Migrant Workers In The North

The Economic, Labour Market and Skills Impacts of Migrant Workers in Northern Ireland report undertaken by Oxford Economics, found that overall migrant workers have had a beneficial impact on the Northern labour market, contributing almost 40,000 jobs and £1.2billion in 2008.

The Experiences of Migrant Workers in Northern Ireland report, undertaken by the Institute for Conflict Research, identified that the decision to move to the North was made mainly, but not solely, for economic reasons. It also discovered that whilst migrant workers are generally happy living and working in the North, less than one in five plan to stay permanently.

In addition, public attitudes to migrant workers were identified from the results of the NISRA Omnibus Survey 2009. This survey indicated a broadly positive attitude towards migrant workers and show little change in the public's attitude from previous surveys in 2007 and 2008.

Sir Reg Empey, the Minister for Employment and Learning said: "Migrant workers continue to play an important part in shaping our local communities and in contributing to a more diverse and robust Northern Ireland economy.

"My department remains committed to ensuring their economic and societal contribution is recognised and that their employment rights, as for all Northern Ireland workers, is protected by a modern and effective employment rights infrastructure."