The Justice Commission of Conference of Religious of Ireland (Cori) has called on the Government to give asylum-seekers greater access to employment.
Cori says asylum-seekers are among "the most excluded and marginalised in Ireland" because they are denied the right to work.
In a statement today, it called on the Government to change the rules so as to allow asylum-seekers whose application for asylum is at least six-months old the right to work.
"Implementing this proposal would have a major impact on reducing their poverty and exclusion," it said.
Commission director Fr Sean Healy also called for greater priority to be given to issues of racial justice.
He said: "Many people in Ireland - particularly Travellers, immigrants, refugees and asylum-seekers among others - do not experience a society where the majority population respects their cultures.
"As we become more racially diverse, it becomes evident that Irish society is capable of being as racist as any of our European neighbours who live in mixed racial societies.
Fr Healy said Ireland's economy needs substantial numbers of migrant workers. "They should be acknowledged as contributors to Ireland's development and should be treated fairly."
He also called for the introduction a "green card" system for migrant workers seeking employment in Ireland.
