The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) has expressed concerns regarding countless workers’ unenviable position, having to choose between supporting their families financially and spending time with them. The MRCI is advocating against “prejudiced” regulations, dictating that only migrant employees from non-European Economic Area countries working in “critical” fields are allowed to bring their families to Ireland instantly. In contrast, workers on standard work permits have to wait one year before applying for family reunification and meeting certain income stipulations.
The income requirements, which include approximately €30,000 annually for a spouse, €40,500 for a single child, €50,000 for two children, and €60,000 for three children, are unreachable for numerous workers, says the MRCI. Neil Bruton, MRCI campaigns manager, criticised the treatment of general work permit holders as mere ‘labour units’ rather than individuals with emotional and familial needs.
Critical skills workers, as defined by the Department of Enterprise and Employment, span over 23 sectors and multiple professions, inclusive of pharmacists, radiographers, audiologists, and dietitians.
However, healthcare assistants, like Vimbainashe Chingono from Zimbabwe, who has worked in a Cork nursing home for over a year, fall under the “general” category instead of being labelled as “critical”. Chingono made the difficult decision to leave her family for a brighter future for her son, Kyrill, who is two. Her husband also works and earns a low income, while their son is looked after by her mother.
Chingono was made to believe she could appeal for her son and husband to join her in Ireland after a year. However, her annual earnings of roughly €27,000 make her ineligible due to falling far short of the required threshold. She expressed her sadness at the lack of recognition for the significant contribution she makes as a caregiver for the elderly, which she views as her calling.
Chingono, who works lengthy shifts and is constantly on-call, experiences profound loneliness upon returning home due to her solitary existence. Though she attempts to keep in touch with her son twice weekly, time zone differences make this challenging. These circumstances heighten her sense of separation from her family which escalates further during family holidays like St Patrick’s Day and Mother’s Day. It’s complicated by her son’s confusion during their calls.
Chingono often wrestles with the dilemma of whether her remote work is worth this emotional toll. It gives her a semblance of comfort knowing her son is in a familiar environment, although it’s painful for her. The present review of the family reunification scheme fills her with hope that those in a similar situation as hers and their families will be taken into account.
She expressed her longing for their cries to be acknowledged, stating that while they provide care for others and their loved ones, there’s a void in their own lives. Meanwhile, a representative for the Department of Justice revealed that they are continuing discussions with the MRCI among others to ascertain that workers who bring their families can adequately provide for them.
The spokesman further indicated a prioritisation for the consideration of whether spouses and partners of those with employment permits should be allowed to work in Ireland. They expect to conclude this section of the review soon.