Commenting on changes to care visa requirements announced today (Wednesday), UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said:
“Enabling care staff on visas to move to another sponsor more easily is a vital step in protecting them from exploitation.
“Thousands of migrant care workers have been at risk of being deported through no fault of their own, often because of dodgy employers or a care provider going bust.
“Overseas staff can currently lose their job and be forced out of the country simply for raising issues about care standards or being treated poorly. It’s not right they should pay a greater price than bad providers.
“This move is a positive step, but further measures will be needed given the vulnerability of overseas workers.
“Ultimately, the government should remove visa sponsorship from individual employers and implement a sector-wide scheme.”
Notes to editors:
– 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.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
The article Visa changes are a positive step for overseas care workers first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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