Exploitation as usual for migrant caregivers in the U.K.

A new report uncovered that although found in violation of labor laws, almost 200 U.K. care providers still had their license to sponsor migrant caregivers granted by the government. This points to major gaps in government oversight of existing labor laws and opens the door for further labor exploitation and modern slavery reports The Guardian.  

Classic labor bait and switch  

Earlier this year, The Guardian revealed that many migrants who come to the U.K. legally for work are not being given the type of jobs they were promised. On top of that, they are being forced to work longer hours than agreed to. But maybe worse, in some cases they are given no hours at all. Since to secure these jobs and travel to them, most workers paid exorbitant fees to companies. Getting no hours leaves them in desperate straits to find other income and vulnerable to modern slavery.  

Dora-Olivia Vicol, chief executive of the Work Rights Centre who released the report, said:  

“Our research finds that breaches of employment rights are endemic in the care sector. This cannot come as a surprise to the Home Office, which granted licenses to companies with a history of labor violations.” 

The study found at least 1 of every 14 companies with a license to sponsor foreign workers previously violated employment regulations in some form. Those violations include workers being paid less than the minimum wage and breaching health and safety rules. Of the carers spoken to, close to two-thirds reported either discrimination, bullying and/or a lack of health and safety protocols. Some reported working up to 100 hours a week.  

Change in government but so far, nothing has changed 

After the pandemic, the previous government relied on migrant workers to fill large job gaps in the social care sector. Last year alone 350,000 foreign carers travelled to work in Britain. In all, the report points to 177 companies that were given licenses to sponsor migrant carers. But publicly available information shows they violated workers’ protections. 

Vicol stated: 

“For those who have been exploited, the fear of retaliation from their sponsor employer is enough to force them into silence. On top of this, working conditions are barely tolerable, with work schedules either all-consuming and exhausting, or so sparse that they do not provide enough income to make ends meet.” 

Workers say they were afraid to report on their employers. Some were threatened with deportation if they spoke up about abuse. Experts say the previous government provided weak oversight and did little to check on care companies’ treatment of their migrant employees. But with a change in government, a change in oversight is hopefully on the horizon. 

Promises, promises… 

Prior to the new government coming into power, the home secretary promised a sectoral wide investigation. However, since the election there has been radio silence on the idea. When asked, a government spokesperson said they “are deeply concerned” about reports of exploitation and abuse in the care sector.   

The spokesperson further stated: 

“The government recognizes the scale of reforms needed to make the adult social care sector attractive, to support workforce growth and improve the retention of the domestic workforce. However, the sector also needs to help ensure international recruitment in the care system is both ethical and sustainable.” 

Freedom United and other advocates have been calling for reforms to the U.K.’s migrant worker program and the need to increase government oversight since well before the election. We stand beside those calling for an urgent government investigation into exploitation across the social care sector as a priority for the new government.