UK's largest union calls on Government to scrap plans to extend ILR qualifying period to 15 years
UNISON, the UK's largest union representing public services staff, held a national day of action on Friday, 24 April, as care workers and union members across the country raised concerns about proposed changes to immigration rules affecting migrant staff in the social care sector.
Image credit: WikipediaUnder the Government's earned settlement proposals, the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain for care workers will be increased from five to 15 years. UNISON warns that this could have significant implications for a workforce that relies heavily on overseas recruitment. According to the union, international workers make up nearly 30% of care staff, though recent figures indicate a sharp decline in new arrivals to the sector.
UNISON says that the proposed changes are morally wrong and could increase workforce shortages. The union has also raised concerns about the current visa sponsorship system, under which care workers' immigration status is tied to their employer. It notes this arrangement can increase vulnerability to exploitation and limit workers' ability to change jobs.
In an article for Tribune Magazine ahead of the day of action, UNISON general secretary Andrea Egan called the proposals "morally disgraceful" and explained: "We oppose the Home Secretary's policy, first and foremost, because it is fundamentally wrong. Our migrant workers, especially in the health and social care system, came to this country to help us out, to play their part. And they've done far more than that. Without them, the entire system would collapse overnight. … The very least the government owes these heroes is some security. Yet the Home Secretary wants to make sure that they continue to suffer the opposite."
UNISON is calling on the Government to reconsider and scrap the proposed extension to settlement rules. It also calls for the introduction of a sector-wide visa system to allow greater job mobility for care workers, and progress plans for a fair pay agreement in social care.
Andrea Egan commented that the social care sector was already facing "immense strain" with high vacancy levels and continued reliance on overseas workers. She warned that extending the qualifying period for settlement could drive experienced staff out of the sector, and said that if the Government intends to reform social care, it must align improvements in pay and standards with fair treatment of the workforce.
As highlighted on UNISON's Migrant Care Workers campaign page, a database funded by the union and developed with the Autonomy Institute brings together information from the Home Office and care regulators including the Care Quality Commission. The resource is available here and helps migrant care workers identify licensed sponsoring employers across the UK, enabling them to change jobs while maintaining their visa status. The database, originally created in collaboration with the The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, is designed to address gaps in publicly available data on visa sponsors in the care sector, although its creators note that it may not include all providers and does not constitute endorsement of any organisation listed.