Care workers lobby Parliament

In the first lobby of its kind, hundreds of workers travelled to Parliament today from around the country to push for a reversal of immigration plans that would make it harder for some healthcare staff to settle in Britain.

The government proposes to triple the time – from five to 15 years –  before workers can apply for indefinite leave to remain. This will only deepen the crisis in the care sector, risking an exodus of care workers to other countries where their skills and experience are likely to be more appreciated.

Another key aim of the day is to call for an end to the control exploitative employers exert on overseas workers through the visa sponsorship system.

UNISON, which is organising the lobby, says this has led to bullying and threats of deportation by unscrupulous care companies, especially against workers who report poor workplace practices

The need for higher wages in the care sector was also highlighted. Low pay is a major factor in the sector’s ongoing recruitment crisis and the reason why employers have been actively searching overseas.

At the lobby, workers shared their experiences of exploitation and abuse at the hands of bad employers. Examples include being significantly underpaid, frequently given excessively long shifts, and going long periods without being given work or pay.

Some say they’ve had to share a bed with strangers or sleep in their cars because accommodation was not as promised or close enough to their work.

Hundreds of care workers gather in Central Hall

UNISON is asking the government to:

• End exploitation – replace employer sponsored visas with a sector-wide scheme in social care
• Keep the five-year qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain for health and social care workers – recognising their vital economic and social contribution
• Introduce a fair pay agreement – establish sectoral bargaining to improve wages and conditions
• Draw attention to the impact of raised salary thresholds across public services – including in the NHS, which is leading to swathes of frontline NHS staff being dismissed and put at risk of deportation.

UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Government plans to triple the wait to apply to settle in the UK would be a major let-down for migrant care staff. Today these workers keeping the care system running are making their voices heard.

“These essential staff were told they could put down roots here. Employers begged them to come to Britain to do jobs they’d been struggling to fill.

“Plans to increase the wait before workers can apply to settle here from five to fifteen years are cruel and could worsen the crisis in care at a stroke.

“And the current system of visa sponsorship is not fit for purpose. It traps care staff in jobs and allows unscrupulous employers to take advantage,” she continued.

“MPs should listen to the concerns of care staff or risk many leaving the UK for pastures new.”

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