Responding to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s warning in the House of Lords about the negative impact of new visa rules on the families of migrant workers, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said today (Friday):
“The government will tear families apart with this heartless policy. Overseas care workers in the UK have been left in limbo as Christmas approaches. Ministers haven’t said if their children and partners must leave.
“These rules are not only inhumane but will plunge social care even deeper into crisis.
“The care sector will collapse without migrant staff. Care companies bring them to the UK because they’re desperately short of workers.
“Wages need to rise to recruit staff in the UK. Yet not one prime minister from this Conservative government has delivered on promises for funding and reform in social care.
“What’s needed is a proper national strategy that boosts wages and working conditions. Not one that demonises overseas care staff and their families.”
Notes to editors:– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.Media contacts:Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk Dan Ashley M: 07789 518992 E: d.ashley@unison.co.uk
