Migrant Care Workers in a Financial Turmoil
Migrant care workers in the UK are facing a financial turmoil. Lured by the promise of steady employment, many find themselves trapped in debt and exploitation by care agencies. Despite paying thousands of pounds to secure full-time jobs, these workers often arrive to find little or no work available.
The number of such cases has surged in recent years. This spike coincides with the government’s decision to relax the visa system for care workers, an effort to address chronic staff shortages in the sector.
Why are so many people arriving on care visa?
Recruiting workers into care roles has always been challenging. The demanding nature of the job, coupled with long hours and relatively low wages, has led to high vacancy rates and frequent staff turnover.
Staff resignations during and after the Covid pandemic along with the Post-Brexit immigration controls left things worse than ever. According to the charity ‘Skills for Care’ there were 160,000 vacancies in 2022-23 and they project that there will be another 480,000 jobs in the sector by 2035.
Why is this system problematic?
Certificates of sponsorship, typically used by highly skilled sectors like technology and banking, are now being applied to the care sector. Unlike their counterparts in well-paid industries, care workers are particularly vulnerable to exploitation.
The Home Office lacks the resources to properly monitor employers, leaving migrant workers at the mercy of unscrupulous agencies.
Certificates of sponsorship are mainly used by companies in highly skilled sector such as technology, banking and consultancy. Workers in these sectors are unlikely to face the risk of exploitative labour conditions.
However, the care sector is full of poorly paid workers who are vulnerable to exploitation resulting in a financial turmoil. Moreover, Home Office lack resources to monitor employers properly.
Options for Care Workers
Care worker visa allows them to work part-time (20 hours a week) for another employer. They cannot leave an employer who has issued the certificates of sponsorship, yet, they can work 20 hours a week at top of their regular employment.
If they leave their regular employer then their immigration status is at risk. Upon leaving they will have 60 days to find another sponsor. If they don’t then they have to leave UK. Since, employers are aware of this, therefore, they use it against care workers for their personal benefits.
This systemic issue highlights the urgent need for reform. Stricter regulations and better monitoring of care agencies, along with improved support for migrant workers, are essential to prevent exploitation and ensure fair treatment.
If your organisation is looking for care workers to assist with mental health or the well-being of your loved ones, please learn more about Angel Care and contact us.
Published: 18th of June 2024
By: Angel Care Health