Caring at a cost: a survey of migrant care staff working in the UK

UNISON surveyed over 3,000 migrant workers from African countries, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Brazil and Indonesia to establish the extent of UK migrant care worker exploitation. 

Survey findings revealed cases of:

• staff being housed in overcrowded, expensive accommodation that was mouldy, poorly heated, dirty and on occasion rat-infested;
• up to £20,000 fees paid to employers or agents before coming to the UK on a promise of shifts that did not materialise;
• salary deductions for airport pick-ups, uniforms and training;
• below minimum-wage hourly rates, resulting in financial hardship and unable to pay bills and rent;
• complaints resulting in threats of sacking or reporting to Home Office;
• covert racism from white British colleagues and senior staff.

UNISON is calling for an end to employers sponsoring migrant care staff. Instead, the union says the government should take on this role and issue each worker with their certificate of sponsorship. This reform, says UNISON, would be straightforward to implement and not costly to the taxpayer. 

Removing the role of sponsor from employers would address the power balance between them and migrant care workers, an issue that increases exploitation and poor employer practices under the current system.