UK: Govt. investigators accused of disclosing confidential details of Zimbabwean worker’s exploitation, prompting threats from care home employer
Summary
Date Reported: 6 Feb 2023
Location: United Kingdom
Other
Not Reported ( Recruitment agencies ) - Recruiter , Not Reported ( Health and social care ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - Zimbabwe , Health and social care , Gender not reported )Issues
Recruitment Fees , IntimidationResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: The worker disclosed details of the recruitment fee to government investigators at the Home Office, who then informed her employer at the care home of the interview details (including her personal information), after which her employer subsequently threatened her.
Source type: News outlet
"Care worker whistleblower outed by Home Office over exploitation claims," 5 Feb 2023
A victim of suspected labour abuse who confidentially disclosed details of exploitation to government investigators says she has been subjected to threats and intimidation after she was outed to her employer.
The Zimbabwean national, 25, was interviewed by Home Office compliance officers for an investigation into illegal recruitment practices and told them she had paid a fee of about £1,500 to an agent who arranged for a care home in Surrey to sponsor her visa...
The worker, who was interviewed with several colleagues, claims she was given assurances by the interviewer that her identity would not be disclosed. But days after the interview, she was contacted by her employer asking why she had cooperated. The care home had been sent her name and details of her comments, including the claims about abusive practices and the illegal fees, according to documents seen by the Observer.
...[The employer] questioned why she had complied with the investigation, and accused [her] of misconduct in an appraisal. Her visa is reliant on her job with the company, meaning she might have to leave the UK if her sponsorship is revoked...
The Home Office said it could not comment on active investigations or individual cases but that disclosure of details of comments by a worker would “not routinely occur”.