‘Migrant Workers in the Home Care Sector: Preparing for the Elder Boom in Ireland’, was published this week by the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI), and details “the messy reality of Ireland’s care sector” according to the migrant advocacy group.

The report says that someone in Ireland turns 80 years of age every 30 minutes. The report says that much of the home care industry in Ireland is unregulated and is rapidly expanding, resulting in the exploitation of workers and varying standards of care for older people. The report adds “Migrant women are over-represented in the home care sector, many are underpaid, overworked and subject to harassment, racism and discrimination. Ageing populations in Ireland and the EU will continue to increase the demand for home care and migrant workers into the future.”

Gráinne O’Toole of MRCI added, “We cannot continue with the current ad-hoc and unregulated system of home care provision which undermines both the quality of care and the conditions for workers. Migrant workers reported having no employment contracts, working on call and night shifts without extra pay and many did not receive minimum wages, annual leave or public holidays. Being subjected to racism, working excessive hours and undertaking heavy workloads is also prevalent in this sector. Increasingly, many undocumented migrants are filling care roles and because of their irregular status are more vulnerable to exploitation. Care work needs to be valued and the needs of older people and care workers regardless of immigration status respected.

“The absence of laws to govern this sector is an urgent problem that the government needs to address. The reality is that migrant workers including undocumented migrants will continue to provide home care services. Comprehensive reform is needed in this sector including a pathway for undocumented carers to regularise their status. If we are serious about caring for older people into the future we need to plan for the growth of our ageing population, we need to create sustainable channels for migration and we need to address the exploitation of migrant workers urgently,” she said. 

Ann Guan, a home care worker, described her experience of working in the sector, “I am responsible for the well-being of the people I care for, and I take that responsibility very seriously. Even though this is the hardest work I’ve ever done, I barely earn minimum wages. My duties include everything from feeding and bathing to housework and medical tasks. I have to be alert all night in case I am needed. I am always tired.”

The full report is available HERE