The care worker visa route, introduced in February 2022 by the UK government, has come under heavy criticism from UK Anti-Slavery Commissioner Eleanor Lyons. Lyons argues that this visa has led to significant exploitation of migrant workers. The visa was originally designed to address labor shortages in the care sector following Brexit but instead created situations where migrant workers became vulnerable to mistreatment.
Purpose of the Care Worker Visa Route
After Brexit, the UK experienced severe shortages of care workers as many EU citizens returned to their home countries. To address this shortage, the government introduced the care worker visa route in February 2022. This visa allowed UK employers to recruit care workers from outside the country to fill urgent vacancies. Initially welcomed, the visa scheme aimed to meet the high demand for care workers in care homes and elderly care services across the UK.
Criticism and Issues with the Visa Route
However, the visa scheme has led to new and serious issues. The primary concern is that the visa system ties migrant workers to a single employer, making it difficult for them to change jobs. Workers, fearing the loss of their visas, often hesitate to report poor working conditions, unpaid wages, or abuse.
Commissioner Lyons described the visa system as a “blunt instrument,” highlighting that it does not adequately protect workers. The restrictive conditions mean that workers are less likely to report exploitation or abuse, exacerbating problems in an already high-risk sector.
Serious Exploitation Uncovered
Recent Home Office data reveals that licenses for over 470 care providers have been revoked due to exploitation and fraud. These revocations impacted around 39,000 workers, representing more than a quarter of the 155,000 migrant care workers employed since February 2022.
Investigations reported by The Guardian uncovered severe abuses, including:
- Illegal recruitment fees charged to workers
- Fraudulent job offers
- Passport withholding by employers
- Fear among workers of deportation if they complain
The number of identified exploitation cases sharply increased from 63 in 2021 to 918 in 2023, signaling significant flaws in the current visa system.
Recommended Policy Reforms
Lyons and employment experts have called for immediate reforms:
- Removal of the tied visa system: Allow workers to change employers freely if subjected to mistreatment.
- Introduction of a strict licensing scheme: Ensure thorough monitoring of companies hiring workers from overseas.
- Impose tougher penalties: Stronger consequences for companies violating employment regulations.
Government Response and Actions
The UK government has taken initial steps to improve migrant workers’ conditions, including requiring care employers to prioritize recruitment from existing migrant worker pools in the UK before sourcing new workers from abroad. Additionally, plans are underway to establish a Fair Work Agency by 2026-2027 to provide better worker protection.
Despite these steps, advocacy groups, including the Work Rights Centre, insist that these measures are insufficient and have called for the immediate abolition of the tied visa system.
Calls for Full Investigation
Public outrage over migrant care worker mistreatment has intensified, increasing pressure on the government to conduct a comprehensive, independent investigation into the care visa system. Opposition parties, including Labour, and various NGOs continue to demand immediate reforms. The Conservative Party has yet to comment directly on the allegations of widespread exploitation.