Over recent years the presence of minority communities in Northern Ireland has received an increasing amount of attention. Much of the initial work focused on the larger and/or longer established groups such as the Jewish, Chinese, Indian, Pakistani and Sikh communities or indigenous communities such as the Travellers, however more recent research has considered the presence of the still small number of asylum seekers and refugees and various aspects of the relationships between members of minority communities and the white majority.

Such research has publicised the fact that Northern Ireland is an increasingly diverse multi-cultural society. Government programmes are beginning to recognise this fact and respond accordingly. However there is virtually a complete lack of information in relation to one section of the minority ethnic communities: migrant workers.

Whilst many of those who comprise the larger minority ethnic groups moved to Northern Ireland because of the economic potential of the region, they have also come to regard Northern Ireland as home and constitute multi-generational communities who are permanently resident here. Migrant workers on the other hand, initially at least, move to a country on a temporary basis to exploit an economic opportunity, while their families would remain in their home country. The workers themselves aim to return home after a longer or shorter period, but may remain in the work country for considerable periods of time or may return to the work country on a regular or recurrent basis.

Regardless of the duration of stay migrant workers may experience a range of problems and needs. These will include forms of racism and xenophobia that are experienced by many/all outsider groups. In addition they will also include issues related to their presence as workers, often in low-paid or marginal work. Furthermore as disadvantaged and/or marginalised groups problems might emerge because of a lack of local knowledge, language skills, knowledge and information on their legal and civil rights among others.

The research will also begin to quantify the range, scale and variety of problems that might be currently experienced by members of migrant communities. Additionally it will review any forms of provision, support or general engagement that is being provided by statutory, community and voluntary organisiations in Northern Ireland.

The project will also involve a prelimary review of how the issue of migrant workers is being experienced and considered in the rest of the United Kingdom and in the Republic of Ireland. The final report will review current practice and suggest the next steps in developing an appropriate iniative for Northern Ireland.