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Shocking new report shows that recession leads to perceived rise in racism in Louth
THE economic downturn and rising unemployment has led to a perceived rise in institutional sectarianism and racism in workplaces in Co Louth, according to a new report.
The study published by Louth County Enterprise Board (LCEB) is part of a new project which aims to eradicate institutional sectarianism and racism in the workplace.
Key findings from the survey include 57% of employers in Co Louth employ or have employed staff who live in North; less than 10% of employers note employee's religion on recruitment; and over 90% of employers note nationality on recruitment.
Many companies (49%) dealt with harassment and bullying cases in relation to diversity issues as they arose with only 32% having a formal policy in place.
Over 40% of the respondents feel the issue of managing diversity in the workplace has become more important in the current climate.
"Challenges faced by people in Dundalk who experience political sectarianism include instances of where employment issues which they raised were politicised," according to the research.
"Some human resource matters were cited as examples where, because those who raised them were from the North, the issues were politicised and therefore distracted from the real problems which were not resolved."
Foreign nationals living in Co Louth reported having to deal with open racist remarks about colour, language, culture and other matters of a personal nature at work.
The study also reveals that 313 work permits were issued to non EU/EEA national and citizens of Bulgaria and Romania in Co Louth in 2007. Of that figure 120 were new permits and 193 were renewals. Thirty-eight permits were refused.
The number of work permits granted in September 2009 had fallen dramatically to just 52. Of that figure 29 were new permits and 23 were renewals.
The report states that 2,548 people were on the live register in Dundalk in 2006. By November 2009 this figure had jumped to a massive 6,005.
In Co Louth in October 2006, there were 6,317 people on the live register, and by November last this figure stood at a whopping 16,269.
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Thursday 17 May 2012
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