Migrant social care staff will gather outside the Scottish Parliament today (Wednesday) before meeting with MSPs to call for visa changes to be reversed, says UNISON.
Dozens of people are travelling from across Scotland to ask parliamentarians to honour commitments made to overseas workers when they were first recruited to work in the country.
Their efforts are part of UK-wide day of action in protest at plans by the Westminster government to treble the qualification period to 15 years for overseas workers to live in the UK before they can settle.
The protesters all work in the care sector and say they came to the UK to help efforts to ease the staffing crisis.
They were initially told they could apply to remain in the UK after five years, and are angry ministers are now seeking to change the rules.
Many have also faced exploitation under a flawed sponsorship system that needs reform, says UNISON.
They will share their experiences of the system when they meet politicians and explain the damage plans to extend the settlement period are likely to do, the union adds.
MSPs will be urged to support a fair visa system and back proposals for a Scottish migration scheme that reflects the country’s workforce needs, says UNISON.
Almost a quarter of Scotland’s social care workforce are international staff, and the union says proposed changes will make it harder to recruit and retain the number of workers needed to meet the country’s growing care needs.
UNISON Scotland social care lead Jennifer McCarey said: “Scotland’s health and social care services rely on the skills, dedication and commitment of migrant staff.
“These people came to Scotland in good faith to fill vacancies and build their lives here. Changing the rules after they’ve made that commitment is unfair and creates uncertainty for workers and their families.
“Without migrant workers, Scotland’s care system would collapse. The UK government needs to honour the promises it made and support a visa system that reflects Scotland’s workforce needs.
Stephen Kannike, a migrant care worker who works in the NHS, said: “Many migrant workers left their families, homes and careers behind to fill vacancies that employers were struggling to fill.
“We’ve built our lives here and become part of our communities. We’re simply asking for fairness and certainty about our future so we can continue caring for the people who depend on us.”
Notes to editors:
– Migrant workers will gather outside the Scottish Parliament at 11.30am for a photo.
– You can find out more about UNISON’s Fair Visa Campaign here.
– There is also a lobby of Westminster as part of UNISON’s Fair Visa Campaign.
– UNISON is Scotland’s largest public services union and the union for care workers.