'Migrant care workers need our support - from racism and an unfair visa system'

By Christina McAnea, UNISON

The climate of fear facing migrant care staff is escalating. Last week’s shock announcement on indefinite leave to remain has only heightened their sense of insecurity.

Toxic language on immigration is fuelling bigotry. It’s leaving migrant workers fearful of going out. These skilled staff are facing verbal abuse and even physical attacks by those emboldened by anti-immigrant narratives.

Many care workers are also having to deal with racial abuse and exploitation at the hands of immoral employers who threaten deportation if they speak out.

And now, these essential workers, who were asked to come to Britain to keep a crumbling sector afloat, have been told they may have to wait three times longer before they might be able to settle permanently in the UK. This has been a devastating blow.

Next month, on Wednesday 17 December, I’ll be joining hundreds of migrant care staff who will have travelled from across the UK to Parliament to make their voices heard.

They’ll be calling for an end to the unequal sponsorship system, protection of their rights, including indefinite leave to remain, and fair pay. Members who want to attend should contact their branch.

Britain’s care sector cannot survive without the skills of people recruited from the Philippines, India, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and elsewhere in the world. They’ve filled gaping holes in care provision. If they leave, which they could well do, the sector could collapse.

'Unacceptable treatment' of migrant care staff

When meeting care staff, I’ve heard countless stories of unacceptable treatment.

Patrick’s* employer threatened to report him to the Home Office and revoke his sponsorship if he complained or failed to meet unrealistic work demands. Patrick and his colleagues felt powerless, unable to speak up about their unfair treatment or unsafe conditions in which they were forced to work.

Staff were consistently underpaid. Pension contributions were not made. Mileage payments were refused. Some staff were working seven days a week without any rest or extra payment. Despite their dedication, Patrick says the company behaved as if “our wellbeing didn’t matter.”

In Joshua’s* case, his employer’s sponsorship was revoked, leaving him jobless and at risk of deportation. He’d come to the UK in 2023 and is the sole breadwinner for his family. He’s now reliant on his growing overdraft.

Reforming the visa system to tackle exploitation

This flawed sponsorship system traps many migrant workers. Those who speak out risk the sack – and a visit from the Home Office.

Currently, private care companies and employment agencies have too much power over migrant care staff because the visa is issued to employers, not workers.

This leaves bad employers free to bully and intimidate staff.

UNISON wants a sector-wide visa so workers aren’t tied to one employer and can change jobs without fear of being sent home. This would end much of the exploitation and raise standards.

What also leaves staff vulnerable is the wait for settled status – the point at which they gain greater security and workplace rights.

Tripling wait for settled status

Last week, the Home Office announced plans to triple that wait from five to 15 years for overseas care workers. This is not a minor administrative tweak. It’s a huge worry for low-paid staff, who now face an additional decade of uncertainty.

Many came to the UK in good faith, believing they could apply for leave to remain after five years. They now feel betrayed. These retrospective changes risk keeping workers trapped, unable to speak out and unable to put down roots.

Worse still, the changes also risk an exodus of skilled workers to more welcoming countries.

Instead of supporting those who uphold essential services, the government is stoking fear. Ministers must rethink these damaging proposals and stick with the five-year route to settled status. Changing the rules retrospectively is a terrible thing to do.

Fair pay agreement

Migrant care workers will at least benefit from the new fair pay agreement for adult social care workers. I’m committed to ensuring the government gets on with making this a reality.

The sector faces a recruitment crisis with thousands of vacancies unfilled – and low pay is a major reason why so few people choose to work in care.

Most wages in care are barely above the legal minimum, yet the job requires expertise, judgment and deep compassion. The work is certainly not paid at the level it should be.

It’s time for all of us to stand up for migrant care workers: the staff who keep residential homes running and who provide care that enables people to stay in their own homes for as long as possible.

* Names have been changed to protect identities.