Several members of the Industrial Workers of the World and supporters in Belfast held a afternoon solidarity picket at the Maldron Hotel in central Belfast on Saturday 23rd November as part of a country wide campaign to highlight conditions and treatment of Migrant workers.
Visitors to the Maldron Hotel and passers by voiced their concern and solidarity with those directly effected by the Irish Governments Direct Provision policy.
A spokesperson for the IWW in Belfast said following the protest action that: "Members of the public took information leaflets while others tooted horns in reaction to todays protest. Their is genuine shock and revulsion amongst workers and members of the public at the way in which migrant workers and their families are being treated by the system and those who happily profit from this unjustice and racist policy.
"The IWW have taken part in an ongoing national campaign in solidarity with migrant workers which includes human rights, anti-racist and migrant organisations, all of who are demanding action and an immediate end to direct provision system in Ireland."
Earlier this year a spokesperson for the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland group said "On the 4th July this year, the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland was appalled after meeting several asylum seeking families stuck in the Maldron Hotel in Roxboro Limerick city without basic supports like nappies, baby formula, sanitary products for women, and toiletries. We had to ask Irish people to donate those items for asylum seekers.
"The Irish government contracted the Maldron hotel to provide a bed and 3 meals a day for asylum seekers who aren't allowed to work which turns the hotel into an open prison. They didn't even have laundry facilities for the asylum seekers living in the Maldron hotel. Irish people had to collect dirty clothes from asylum seekers to wash in their homes then bring them back to the hotel. That is no way to live. The hotels and BnBs are making on average €100 per night for each asylum seeker living in their accommodation. Its time for the Irish government to prioritise human rights and end the profiteering through the asylum system."
Today's action is one of many solidarity pickets taking place around the country to highlight the treatment of migrant workers. We take this opportunity to join with others to demand an end to the racist policy of direct provision system and to highlight those who continue to profit from this continuing misery. We demand an end to the direct provision system - Migrant rights are workers rights!"