Our National policy team are proud to share their new report – and first ever Spotlight report – on how migrant care workers are being trapped in exploitative jobs because of their visa. They’ve also partnered with The Bureau of Investigative Journalism on a joint story.
The Bristol context is that there are an estimated 10,500 jobs in social care, over 80% of them working for independent sector providers working in 167 Care Quality Commission regulated services; of these 112 were residential and 55 non-residential services. There is a turnover rate of 30%; recruitment, retention of staff and high vacancy rates are common problems shared across England.
Their investigation builds on data from more than 150 evidence forms – of which we in Bristol played a key role, and to the views of the national expert advice team for their input and guidance. More press coverage is likely so it might lead to similar clients contacting us.
The data paints a depressing picture. Of the migrant care workers’ we’ve helped:
- 1 in 2 experienced financial hardship
- 1 in 3 experienced wage theft
- 1 in 4 were charged upfront recruitment fees, often £10,000+
- 1 in 4 were given no work once in the UK
- 1 in 6 were given fewer hours than their visa requires
- 1 in 6 experienced excessive working hours
- 1 in 6 experienced discrimination
The key problem is that people cannot complain about poor treatment without risking being dismissed and losing their visa. Even leaving an exploitative job is risky unless you’ve managed to secure a new job and sponsor first. This cannot stand – the government needs to ensure people can stand up for their rights. It also needs to step up and actively prevent and address poor treatment.