This project sought to raise awareness of the activities that signatory companies are undertaking to attract and integrate migrant workers. We worked with four signatories from the Irish Charter, leading the way on workplace integration. We looked at how our signatories attract migrant applicants, demonstrate inclusive practices, provide positive career supports and develop cultural programmes.

They are CCS Cleaning who are an Irish company specialising in cleaning in the retail, office, hospitality sectors. They have over 3,000 employees working across 8 European countries, with 88 nationalities and multiple diverse backgrounds in terms of ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation etc. The teams are extremely diverse; people speak different languages, practice various religions and represent a myriad of cultural backgrounds. Their histories and social norms are complex. CCS found integration in the workplace really helped us highlight positive inclusion and led to a more positive work environment.

Dublin Bus, as the main public transport provider for the city and county of Dublin and neighbouring areas, employs over 3,500 people and has a fleet of over 1,000 buses. 18% of employees are from outside Ireland originally, from 70 different countries of origin. It carries 150 million passengers each year and transports 70% of all public transport commuters into Dublin during peak times. Dublin Bus believes that by celebrating diversity we sustain a workplace culture that fosters teamwork and inclusiveness.

E-Frontiers are an Irish-owned recruitment company specialising in sourcing candidates across a broad ethnic background. E-Frontiers have over 15 nationalities speaking over 20 languages employed in the company. Today, e-Frontiers are very much an international affair, with consultancy operations in Dublin, Madrid, London, New York and Bucharest. E-Frontiers believe that a more secure staff are more confident and successful in their role.

Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) employs over 3,800 employees from 24 Countries in addition to Ireland who are diverse and work in diverse roles. The company recognises that diversity is the presence of many unique people in the workplace and this uniqueness supports the organisation in developing and maintaining a positive working environment.

Iarnrod Eireann emphasised the importance of a diverse workforce therefore enriching the organisation and playing a role in the realisation of their business goals in the workplace and with their customers.

Following on from our research and contact with the Charter signatories it is clear that an awareness raising campaign is needed to promote the workplace strand of ‘Migrant Integration Strategy 2017-2021’. While this research uncovered many positive contributions to the culture of integration in Ireland, it also highlighted the need to maintain momentum and engage constructively around migration in our times.