Unite pledges support to HCA campaign for respect

October 21st: The first national conference of migrant health care assistants (HCAs) took place in Unite’s Dublin office over the weekend. The conference, which was organised by Migrant Nurses Ireland (MNI), heard from migrant HCAs who are unable to bring their families to live with them due to their low salary levels mandated by government work permit regulations, which are below the family reunification earnings thresholds.

During Saturday’s conference, MNI formerly established a dedicated section for Health Care Assistants.

Speaking during the event, MNI national convenor Varghese Joy said: “The key issue discussed today was the fact that HCAs earn below the threshold which would enable them to bring their families to live with them. Our members are demanding family re-unification with immediate effect.”

The government-mandated minimum salary for HCAs from outside the European Economic Area is currently below the thresholds which would allow them to bring their families to live with them. Furthermore, as a result of pressure from employer lobby groups, the minimum salary for this group – which primarily comprises women workers – is lower than the minimum salaries for other General Employment Permit holders.

The minimum salary was due to be increased in January of this year, but the increase was deferred until January 2025. Even when that increase does occur, it will not provide for full family re-unification, since the family reunification earnings threshold increases for each additional family member. The new minimum salary would only enable workers to bring their spouse to live with them, leaving parents with impossible choices.

In addition, the new minimum salary will only apply to HCAs on new General Employment Permit contracts, with the result that HCAs who have spent years in Ireland may continue to be separated from their families.

Unite regional coordinating officer Tom Fitzgerald said: “Unite was glad to host this conference organised by Migrant Nurses Ireland. These essential workers have been separated from their families – sometimes for years – as a result of a government policy.

“Unite stands full square behind migrant HCAs in their campaign against discrimination, for decent pay and for family re-unification. As we head into a general election, we are calling on all parties to pledge to raise minimum salaries for migrant HCAs and scrap the cruel family reunification thresholds.”