The Equality Authority has called for tougher financial penalties for companies that are found to breach equality legislation.
The call was made at the launch of the authority's annual report which showed that one third of all cases taken in 2004 were on behalf of migrant workers.
Some of the tens of thousands of men and women who have come to Ireland in recent years face discrimination by some employers who pay lower wages or offer meagre benefits, the report found.
Over 11,000 queries were made to the authority last year, with over 500 cases taken under the Equal Status Act.
The Travelling community continue to be discriminated against by many, the report says, adding that the problem extends beyond going out socialising.
Older people in Irish society also face discrimination, according to the report.
Discrimination against pregnant women and people with same sex partners is also debated in the report.
