The toxic language on immigration is fuelling bigotry – and it’s leaving UNISON migrant members fearful of walking the streets.
Migrant care workers have been verbally and physically attacked by those emboldened by an anti-immigrant agenda. This growing tide of hate is affecting public sector staff on the frontline, both in workplaces and communities.
Care workers from overseas have been asked to come here to prop up a crumbling sector. Many are also having to deal with racial abuse and exploitation at the hands of immoral employers, who use the threat of deportation to stop staff from speaking out.
Tackling exploitation
On 17 December, I’ll be joining hundreds of migrant care staff at the House of Commons at a lobby to protect their rights to live in the UK, end the current unequal system of sponsorship, and push for fair pay.
The care sector cannot survive without these skilled workers who are filling gaping holes in provision. But all too often they’re taken advantage of and treated badly.
Currently, private care companies and agencies have too much power over migrant care staff. The reason is the government issues visas to employers, not to the care staff themselves.
That leaves bad bosses free to bully and intimidate workers. UNISON wants a sector-wide visa scheme so migrant workers aren’t tied to one employer and can move to other jobs in care without fear of reprisal.
Another ‘trap’ migrant care workers face is the wait to be granted settled status. This is a change in visa status that means greater security and better rights, including in the workplace. So it’s crucial for tackling exploitation by bad employers.
Drop the rhetoric, fix the system
But in a bid to appear tougher on immigration, the Westminster government now wants to double the current wait time for granted settled status from five to ten years.
Ministers must rethink this unfair decision and stick with the five year wait. Changing the rules retrospectively feels like a broken promise to all those care staff who’ve been encouraged to come to the UK.
Migrant workers will be among those care staff due to benefit from a new fair pay agreement. I’ll keep up the pressure on the government to make this a reality as soon as possible. Most wages in care are barely above the legal minimum. Yet the job requires a high level of expertise and skills, and a good deal of compassion.
It’s time for us all to stand up for the thousands of care staff who keep residential homes running. And for those who provide domiciliary care so people have the freedom to stay in their own homes for as long as possible.
Join us to show your united support next month – and to call out the ugly rhetoric from those determined to divide us.
