Wages and working conditions of non-Irish nationals in Ireland

Employment plays an essential role for the social inclusion and integration of migrants within their host country. Employment also offers migrants and nonmigrants alike financial independence, social standing, a sense of identity and a means to contribute to and meaningfully participate in society (McGinnity et al.,2021a). The ability of migrants to fully participate in the labour market without facing barriers is therefore critical to their economic and social wellbeing. The economic and skill contributions of migrants are also essential to labour markets and labour market composition, particularly in countries within western Europe (Taran, 2012). Migrant labour adjusts the composition of the national labour market. For example, migrant labourers can respond to the changing demands for skills or personnel caused by technological advances, industry developments or changes in labour market conditions. In countries with ageing populations – which is a common characteristic of western European states – migrant workers can introduce a younger cohort of workers to the workforce (Amo-Agyei, 2020; Taran, 2012). Consequently, migrants contribute to, and support the maintenance of, a level of economic activity that might otherwise be unachievable.