The Government must drop plans to cap overseas care staff and act to stop the exploitation of those already working in the UK, the trade union Unison has said.
Plans reportedly being drawn up by immigration minister Robert Jenrick to limit the number of care staff, and their dependants, coming to the UK would be ‘disastrous’ for adult social care, according to the union.
Its new report, ‘Expendable labour’, also includes accounts of abusive practices and poor working conditions suffered by care workers after they are ‘lured’ to the UK to fill staffing gaps.
The report says ministers should provide councils with guidance and dedicating funding to help tackle unscrupulous care employers.
Unison also called for reformed visa rules to allow migrant care staff more than 60 days to find a new employer and sponsor when they leave a job, and to stop them being deported when care firms collapse or lose their council contract.
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: ‘The Government needs to reform immigration rules, not make them more draconian.
‘Ministers’ attention would be far better focused on fixing care and boosting pay so careers in the sector are more attractive.
‘It's time to stop scapegoating migrants and instead give councils greater funding to tackle those exploiting them.’
The call by the union comes after the Cavendish Coalition, a group of health and care-related bodies, urged ministers to ditch ‘senseless’ plans to tighten visa requirements.
