Ministers are being criticized for delaying an investigation into the mistreatment of migrant carers, according to the country’s largest nursing union. Complaints continue to pour in regarding low pay, substandard accommodation, and illegal fees. Many of these workers arrive in the UK with high hopes, believing they will have stable employment and a chance to build a better life. However, the reality for many is starkly different, with some experiencing exploitative work conditions that push them into financial distress.
The general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has urged the home secretary to expedite the promised investigation into the exploitation of migrant carers. Despite government assurances to crack down on rogue employers and agencies, the RCN reports receiving over 100 calls annually from nurses who claim they are being mistreated. Many report working excessive hours without proper compensation, living in cramped and unsanitary housing conditions, and facing threats of deportation if they challenge their working conditions.
What Forms of Exploitation Are Migrant Carers Facing?
In a letter to the government, the RCN expressed deep concerns over the exploitative practices many internationally educated nursing staff face in the care sector. The reported issues include excessively long working hours, high repayment fees tied to exit contracts, overcrowded and substandard accommodation, and illegal fees for securing jobs. Some of these workers are even required to hand over a portion of their salaries to agencies that initially brought them to the country, leaving them in financial hardship.
One nurse reported being charged an exorbitant £25,000 to leave her job—the highest fee recorded by the RCN. Many others have been forced to share rooms, and even beds, with fellow workers due to financial strain. Several workers have come forward with stories of employers withholding passports to prevent them from leaving their jobs, a practice that violates employment laws and human rights.
What Led to This Crisis?
The problems stem from a previous government decision to ease regulations on sponsoring care worker visas. The move was intended to address a staffing crisis in social care but inadvertently opened the door to exploitation by unethical employers and agencies. By allowing more overseas workers to enter the sector, the government aimed to fill workforce gaps. However, without strict oversight, some recruitment agencies and employers took advantage of the relaxed rules to exploit vulnerable workers.
While some care homes and employers have followed ethical recruitment practices, others have been accused of engaging in illegal and unethical activities, such as charging workers recruitment fees or deducting high costs from their salaries. Many migrant carers arrive in the UK after taking loans to pay for recruitment fees, only to find that they cannot earn enough to repay their debts due to underemployment or withheld wages.
Last year, the government promised a full investigation into the experiences of migrant carers. Officials called the reported exploitation “a disgrace” and vowed to take action against abusive employers. However, there has been little progress, leaving many workers feeling abandoned by the system that was supposed to protect them.
When Will the Investigation Begin?
Labour has indicated that the investigation will be conducted through a new employment regulator, which will be established as part of the employment rights bill. However, with the regulator’s exact remit still undecided, the process is expected to take several months, with the enforcement body unlikely to be operational before spring 2026. The delay raises concerns that thousands of migrant carers will continue to suffer under exploitative conditions while they wait for the government to act.
In her letter, the RCN’s general secretary warned: “I am concerned that based on current timelines, the creation of the single enforcement body—subject to the passing of the employment rights bill—will not be until spring 2026 at the earliest. A subsequent investigation is likely to take several months to conclude.”
Experts in employment law have expressed concerns that waiting until 2026 could worsen the situation. They argue that immediate government intervention is necessary to prevent further exploitation and protect the rights of workers already suffering. Campaigners have also called for the government to implement emergency measures to safeguard migrant carers, such as increased inspections of care homes and recruitment agencies.
How Urgent Is This Issue?
The RCN is calling for immediate action, arguing that delays will only allow exploitative practices to persist and possibly worsen. The union highlighted the sharp rise in complaints, from just 12 in 2020 to 110 last year. The actual number of cases could be much higher, as many workers fear retaliation and do not report their experiences.
“I urge officials in the Home Office and across government departments to launch the promised investigation now to ensure that victims are not let down by lengthy processes,” the letter stated. Advocacy groups have echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that a prolonged wait for action will only embolden exploitative employers who take advantage of legal loopholes.
There have been growing calls for an interim solution while the employment rights bill is being finalized. Some have suggested setting up a temporary task force dedicated to investigating reports of exploitation and holding unethical employers accountable. Others have recommended increasing penalties for agencies and care providers found guilty of mistreating workers.
With increasing reports of abuse, mounting debts for migrant carers, and no immediate solutions in place, the call for urgent government intervention grows louder by the day. Until meaningful changes are implemented, thousands of vulnerable workers remain at risk of continued exploitation, financial hardship, and emotional distress.
Add a Comment