According to new research being launched in Co Westmeath today, organisations which look after the working rights of migrant workers in the midlands are under-resourced.
The research has also found evidence of what it described as routine racism towards migrant workers in the county.
There are some 780 migrant workers in Co Westmeath. Roughly half of them are from the EU accession states while the other half are from other states in Europe, Asia and Africa.
The research, produced by the Westmeath Equal Development Partnership and the Westmeath Employment Pact, concludes that there is a particular need for groups involved in employment rights to be supported.
It says groups involved in this work are unlikely to be able to source additional funds and that efforts should be made in supporting migrant workers to develop their own voice.
The research found that while there is little evidence of 'sustained organised' racism towards the workers there is a great deal of evidence of routine everyday racism.
It says there is a need to address what it describes as this ‘unthinking’ form of abuse.
