Fórsa has said the union stands in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers, and has criticised protests designed to intimidate those in direct provision and emergency accommodation.

The union made the statement last week in response to recent anti-immigrant protests in a number of communities, including Ballymun, Finglas, Drimnagh and East Wall in Dublin.

Fórsa national secretary Richy Carrothers said the union stands in solidarity with asylum seekers, refugees, and the majority of people in those communities where protests and intimidation have taken place: “These protests have been staged by a small number of people who have attempted to stoke fear and hatred in the community. Intimidating people in direct provision will do nothing except scare vulnerable people and rip our communities apart.

“The vast majority of people understand this, and don’t subscribe the racist ideology behind those organising the protests.

“Racism has no place in Irish society, and the trade union movement stands behind those who have escaped conflict, oppression, climate and economic catastrophe to come to Ireland in search of safety and a better life.

“Fórsa supports policies to end direct provision and make it easier for refugees to access employment. We support their right to be able to live with dignity, in peace, and free of the type of harassment and intimidation we’ve seen in recent weeks,” he said.

ICTU

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has also condemned the protests. Congress president and Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said: “The best way to defeat the far right is by delivering decent work, wages, rights, public services, and homes for all.

“In order to do that we must build solidarity and workers’ power. The trade union movement stands with refugees and international protection applicants and their representative organisations. We will continue to build solidarity between working people of all backgrounds and to work towards ensuring that the messages of the far right never gain mainstream traction in our unions, communities, and workplaces.”

Congress general secretary Owen Reidy criticised extremists who are “whipping up fears and anxieties by turning their hate on those seeking international protection in Ireland.” He said the cynical use of socioeconomic challenges such as a lack of public services, housing, and the refugee crisis to divide working people and local communities is unacceptable.