New poll reveals public support for welcoming migrants 

The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) today released new data from an independent poll carried out with Ireland Thinks during the month of July.  

The poll showed a 64% majority agreed that Ireland should welcome people who move here to make a better life for themselves or their families. (Compared to 18% who disagree) 

The results were very strong towards people moving to Ireland to work.  

82% of people agreed that Irish companies should continue to be able to recruit people from outside the EU to work in sectors where we can’t fill skills or labour shortages (Compared to 11% who disagree). 

This is evident as the poll reveals significant public support for more progressive policies for those migrating to Ireland when it comes to issues such as family reunion rights, registration fees, employment permits and regularisation of those who become undocumented.   

• 65% of people agree that people from outside the EU, recruited to work in Ireland through the work permit system should be allowed to bring their immediate family, spouse and or children when they come to work here (Compared to 24% who disagree) 

• 65% of people agree that ‘People from outside the EU, recruited to work in Ireland through the work permit system should have freedom to change to any job after 2 years (Compared to 24% who disagree) 

• 88% of people believe a fee of less than €100 is fair and reasonable for a migrant to have to pay for an residence permit card, instead of the €300 euro they are currently forced to pay every year.

   

• 69% of people believe that Ireland should give undocumented people the opportunity to come forward and legalise their status provided they can show they have been living and working here long term. (Compared to just 25% who believe we should force them to leave the country) 

Neil Bruton, Campaigns Manager with MRCI, said: “When people come to Ireland to work they face many challenges.

“Challenges like being separated from their families for years on end, facing poor working conditions and high rates of exploitation.

“On top of that they face high immigration fees that leave them struggling to make ends meet.

“This poll shows that people in Ireland understand better than most the challenges people face when they move.

“People clearly support progressive policy changes that address the persistent challenges people face when moving to Ireland to make a better life.” 

Commenting on the public’s support for better family reunion polices, Shiji Joseph, originally from India, who works as a healthcare assistant in a Nursing Home in Dublin said “It is heartwarming to see that most people understand how hard it is to live without your family and support change.

“It’s deeply painful for me not being able have my children and husband with me here.” 

Bruton concluded “Politicians needs to listen to the view of the public as reflected in this poll and move to bring in progressive migration policies.”