Striker Wins New Visa

9 Mar 2010

John Recto, who took part in the hunger strike over the unfair dismissal of trade union members in Green Isle Foods, has received a new work visa from the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). His old visa ran out on March 8. As he joined the hunger strike he was informed that his existing visa would not be renewed.

John had worked at the Green Isle Foods facility in Naas for eight years and his wife had joined him from the Philippines five years ago, along with their sons Shaun and Kenan. Last year the couple had another son Emmanuel John, who was born in Ireland. They applied for naturalisation in 2008.

The dispute was gfinally resolved on March 4. Congress General Secretary David Begg and the General Secretary Designate of the TEEU Eamon Devoy had made written representations to the INIS requesting that the Recto family be allowed to stay. Representations were also made by Jack O'Connor - President of Congress and General President of SIPTU - and the Migrants Rights Centre

Several public representatives also expressed concern at the family's plight, among them Labour's Willie Penrose, Fine Gael'sLeo Varadkar and Sinn Fein TD Martin Ferris.

Today John Recto thanked all those who had helped him over the past six months, particularly his union colleagues.