39% of respondents had their workers’ rights abused.
Just under a third of young people are intending on emigrating from Ireland in the next 12 months.
This is according to a recent survey published by Sinn Féin TD and Spokesperson for Workers’ Rights Louise O’Reilly.
Speaking at Leinster House on Thursday morning, O’Reilly said: “I conducted this survey in order to tell the real story of how young workers are treated in the workplace. The results are shocking and expose how much more needs to be done to protect young workers’ rights”.
576 people aged between 16-30 were surveyed from around the country, with 58% of participants living with parents or other family members. Nearly 8% of participants owned their own home or had a mortgage.
One participant wrote that: “As a single adult, I simply do not, or never will, earn enough to be able to own my own property in this country”.
Another said: “It is too expensive to rent in Ireland and I believe I would have a better standard of living in another country with reduced living costs.”
74% of young people interviewed believed there weren’t enough employment opportunities for young people in their area / community.
More than half of all correspondents were unsure or not confident in their futures and potential work prospects, with just under a third planning on emigrating in the next 12 months.
These figures emerge as popular destinations for emigrants like Australia and America begin to ease travel restrictions into the country.
“After returning home 2 years ago, my partner and I have decided to save up and leave again. The housing crisis has left a sour taste in our mouths”, wrote a participant in the survey.
Cost of housing, wages, and a work life balance were the main concerns of young people according to the survey.
“We must ensure that we don’t have another generation lost to emigration”, said O’Reilly.
“It is vital that young people can see attractive and viable career opportunities for them, where they can experience a high quality standard of living and where they can feel safe and respected in their workplace”.
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