More than half of workers in meat processing factories say they have been injured at work.
A survey by Migrant Rights Ireland found that 60 per cent of staff had sustained workplace injuries and two thirds said they did not receive enough training prior to starting their job.
The research also found that 43 per cent of staff surveyed said they have been bullied at work.
The research comes on the back of nearly 1,800 Covid-19 cases in meat factories throughout the pandemic.
Bríd McKeown, from Migrants Rights Ireland, says the survey casts a very poor light on the industry.
“Our research shows that it is a sector that is essentially putting profit before health and safety of workers.
“They tell us that they are working to dangerously high production levels, they fell under pressure to work at unreasonable and unsafe speeds and that despite staff shortages during Covid or holiday time, the production levels have actually been on par with 2018 levels,” Ms McKeown said.
“We heard from workers from 13 different counties and what we hear is time and time again these work places are rife with bullying and discrimination.
“The people are shouted and cursed at, humiliated, constantly belittled and disrespected and essentially treated as disposable,” she added.
