Councils must do more to protect migrant care workers from exploitation, says UNISON
Urgent action is needed by local authorities in the South East to combat the exploitation of migrant care staff by rogue employers, says UNISON today (Wednesday).
The region’s care sector relies on workers from overseas to provide crucial support to the most vulnerable including elderly people.
But UNISON says it has received reports of care providers, commissioned by local authorities across the South East, that are charging migrant staff unlawful fees, withholding pay, or using the threat of visa cancellation to silence workers who speak out.
Cases include staff having to pay thousands of pounds in illegal ‘fees’ to agencies before starting employment or when renewing their visa sponsorship. Some employers are also unlawfully deducting wages for fuel or training costs, and transferring staff to zero-hours contracts, despite offering guaranteed hours.
The union is now calling on councils in the region to take responsibility for the treatment of workers employed through local authority care contracts, and to ensure public money is not being used to fund exploitation.
Increasing numbers of people who come to the UK to work in the care sector have joined UNISON in the past year, many because of poor behaviour by employers.
Migrant care workers who challenge mistreatment often risk losing their livelihoods and right to work here, says UNISON. Staff have reported being threatened with dismissal and the withdrawal of their visa.
Some sponsoring employers have also refused to provide references, or issued misleading and damaging statements that make it difficult for migrant care staff to get another job, says the union. The current rules on migrant workers* leave many care staff too afraid to report exploitation or poor treatment.
UNISON has learned that dozens of care companies in the South East have had their Home Office sponsorship licences revoked over the past year, putting the jobs and immigration status of thousands of migrant care workers at risk.
Migrant workers on the health and social care visa are barred from accessing public funds if they lose their jobs, leaving many facing poverty and destitution, says the union.
UNISON South East regional secretary Maggi Ferncombe, said: “The mistreatment of migrant workers is a growing scandal that local authorities can no longer ignore.
“There is a repeat pattern of behaviour by unscrupulous employers targeting the workers who care for our elderly people and the most vulnerable in society.
“Council leaders must take real action to stop the exploitation of overseas care workers once and for all.”
Avery [not their real name], a migrant care worker in the region who has faced victimisation at work, said: “Putting smiles on people’s faces gives me joy. But I’ve worked long hours, often under pressure, and felt that I wasn’t valued at times.
“Despite giving my best, I was underpaid and my employers withheld my pension. At one point, I was even threatened with being reported to the Home Office.
“But despite all the challenges, the appreciation shown by those I care for reminds me that my work matters.”
Notes to editors:
–*Under immigration rules, overseas workers must be sponsored by a Home Office–licensed employer to work in the UK. If their employment ends – even through unfair dismissal – they will be sent a letter from the Home Office, telling them they need to find a new sponsor or leave the country in 60 days.
– Avery’s name has been changed to protect their identity.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.