INMO Calls on HSE to Protect International Healthcare Workers Amid Racial Unrest

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has called on the HSE and other healthcare employers to be vigilant of staff safety and wellbeing in the coming days, following incidents in Northern Ireland and protests in Dublin city centre yesterday.

The INMO says over 43,000 nurses and midwives from other parts of the world are working in Ireland, providing essential healthcare services. The organisation has also written to the HSE seeking engagement with unions on preventative measures.

Phil Ní Sheaghdha, General Secretary, INMO:

"Nurses and midwives will be very concerned about the racially motivated protests that are happening on the streets of Belfast. We are sending our solidarity to our trade union colleagues in Northern Ireland. We are asking employers to be extra vigilant and conscious of the safety and wellbeing of our members who are not from Ireland. They have come to this country to work, to provide a very necessary service, and they need to be absolutely assured of their safety when they go to work.

Over 43,000 nurses and midwives have come here to work from other parts of the world and provide essential healthcare services. Just as importantly, their families are rooted in our communities. Our members should not be afraid to go to and from their workplaces or anywhere else in their communities because of the disgraceful actions of some.

Today we have written to the HSE seeking that they engage with unions preventative measures that can be taken as opposed to dealing with any racially-motivated incidences that might occur due to lack of preparedness.

Irish people cannot be bystanders to racist abuse in our hospitals, workplaces and wider communities. We do not want Ireland to become a place where people are afraid to take up employment in the health sector."