UK: Coalition calls on Home Office to address migrant exploitation in the care sector
A coalition of academics, NGOs and charities working with migrants in the UK care sector has written to the Home Office over a "significant increase" in cases of severe labour exploitation. The coalition cites issues such as illegal recruitment fee-charging, repayment clauses, wage theft, debt bondage and excessive overtime for workers.
We have been warning the government of the need to address the risks of exploitation in the care sector since the end of free movement. It’s evident that the government has failed to listen or take action.Peter Wieltschnig of Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX)
The coalition accompanied a written letter to the Home Office with the release of a policy paper on "Preventing Exploitation in the Adult Social Care Sector". Recommendations include: the establishment of a NHS-style system for social care and a single enforcement body that is practiclaly accessible to workers, the introduction of bridging visas or ability for workers to renew visas once in-country, and that recruitment should take place with appropriate monitoring and compliance in place.