Ireland needs to introduce quotas to ensure companies hire enough people of migrant descent, according to the Institute of Antiracism.
It comes as the Government prepares to launch the long-awaited National Action Plan against Racism.
The first national action plan on racism to be published in over a decade aims to systemically deal with the issue of racism in Ireland.
On Newstalk Breakfast his morning, Institute of Antiracism founder Dr Ebun Joseph said the plan marks a “step in the right direction”.
“Ireland has fully become a diverse society and that is not going to change,” she said.
“We have to prepare for the future. We have to prepare for an island where everyone who is here is entitled to get the services that they need.
“This is a step in the right direction.”
Racism
Dr Joseph said racism in Ireland is “extremely bad”.
“I was just saying to a friend, I don’t know what has happened, but in the last three or four weeks, I am getting two or three calls every day from people saying, this is what I am going through,” she said.
“This is in their place of work and they are looking for support.”
Diversity quotas
Dr joseph said the unemployment rate of people of migrant descent in Ireland is significantly higher than the national average – and it is higher again for people of African descent.
She said the country needs to introduce quotas to encourage companies to hire people of migrant descent.
"Number one, we need quotas because this is not going to happen otherwise," she said.
“We need to make sure that companies are demanding that at least 25% of people who are interviewed are of migrant descent.
“It must be deliberately done.
“You know, we did it for gender and we have to do exactly what we have done for gender. We can do that same pattern, that same process.
“Make sure that, when you are recruiting, at least 25% - at least - must be of migrant descent.
“If that doesn’t happen, the likelihood you are going to get somebody of migrant descent in there – it is not going to happen.”
Political leadership
Dr Joseph said the Government absolutely needs to take political leadership on the issue.
The National Action Plan will be published later this afternoon.
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