POLISH workers are being banned from speaking their native language in a number of Irish workplaces, according to a Siptu official.

The situation has become so bad that Siptu is now considering taking cases against a number of employers, who have banned workers from speaking Polish even in the canteen.

Kazik Anhalt, Siptu's Polish organiser revealed that he is involved in a number of cases where Polish workers have been discriminated in this way.

"I have heard of a number of such cases. And we are talking about big companies.

"In one case the workers were highly skilled workers with university degrees and they were banned from speaking Polish. Management approached them and told them they could not speak Polish in the workplace. Even when they were not working and were on a break," claimed Anhalt.

"This is a matter that we wish to bring to the Irish Equality Authority. Our branches are taking care of the cases individually," he added.

Mr Anhalt insisted that the directive from certain Irish companies did not relate only to working hours but also during workers' breaks.

"I can agree with companies that say you cannot speak the Polish language when you are in contact with customers but this was just among themselves.

"The management don't give any reason for this. They are speaking a European language," he said.

Mr Anhalt believes that the reason companies are trying to clamp down on employees speaking their native tongue is because of fear that workers will unite against difficult work conditions.

"Management can't understand what is going on, they can't follow the topic of conversation. They can become quite suspicious about it all, he added.

The Siptu official revealed that many workers contact him unaware of their rights.

"These workers fear being penalised or sacked simply for speaking Polish with their colleagues during breaks.

"This is a clear case of discrimination against the language. I would like to take action in this matter and we are highlighting to the Polish Community the equality legislation in this matter.

"The legislation is there that stresses workers rights in this matter," he added.

- Caroline Crawford