Migrant healthcare workers will protest outside the Department of Enterprise this morning over rules which keep them from their families.

Many HCAs work for just over minimum wage - which means they do not meet the income threshold to bring their spouses and children to live here.

Unite spokesman Michael O'Brien said while HCAs’ wages increased last month, the increase was not nearly enough to allow them to bring their families into the country. 

“We already have thousands of healthcare workers who arrived and began working prior to January 1st this year,” he said. 

“They’re stuck on a salary of typically €27,000 - just above minimum wage effectively now.” 

The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) facility at Dublin Airport. Picture by: Mark Stedman/RollingNews

Mr O’Brien said that Irish society should be extremely grateful that migrant workers have chosen to move to Ireland. 

“Healthcare assistants, even those on €30,000, are actually on the lowest minimum annual remuneration threshold relative to any other category of worker over here on the work permit,” he said. 

“The standard is €34,000; so, there’s quite a gap actually between healthcare assistants and others that have come from outside of Europe to come work here in Ireland and do, frankly, the jobs that people in Ireland don’t want to do.” 

Protestors will appeal to Enterprise Minister Peter Burke to change the rules.

Main image: An aeroplane landing on the runway at Dublin Airport Ireland. Picture by: Alamy.com