A new visa system is needed in social care to protect migrant staff from racism and exploitation, says a UNISON report today (Tuesday).
More than two in five (45%) care workers who came to Scotland from overseas have experienced racism from colleagues or service users and their families while doing their jobs, according to the report. Over half (53%) of those targeted didn’t report the racist abuse for fear of the consequences.
The findings based on a survey of 600 people working in social care companies in Scotland.
More than two in five (45%) said their employer treated migrant workers worse than non-migrant workers.
The union says employers have a hold over migrant care staff because they act as sponsor for their visa.
The impact is staff feel they cannot report issues about work conditions in case it affects their immigration status. A third (34%) of care workers were too scared to complain or speak out, and a fifth (21%) said they cannot turn down overtime or extra shifts, even at short notice.
The majority (73%) of migrant workers want to be able to move employer, according to the UNISON report.
The union is campaigning for visa sponsorship in the care sector to be reformed. UNISON wants a sector-wide sponsorship scheme run by an independent body so overseas staff could leave unscrupulous employers and find jobs with those who treat them fairly.
UNISON Scotland social care lead Jennifer McCarey said: “This damning report shows that workers from overseas are trapped working for the one employer. This makes them the target of racism and exploitation by social care companies.
“Workers don’t feel they can speak out because their employer has power over their right to stay in the country. It’s a form of bonded labour.
“Major reform is needed urgently of the current sponsorship system. A sector-wide scheme is needed to put an end to employers threatening care workers with deportation if they whistle blow.”
Notes to editors:
– Read the briefing here
– UNISON’s national Fair visa campaign is led by migrant care workers in the third sector. The union is calling on the UK government home office to issue a common certificate of sponsorship.
– UNISON is Scotland’s largest union, with more than 150,000 members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.