Jordan LinThe charity Unseen recently published a review on modern slavery and exploitation within the care sector entitled Who Cares? A Review of Reports of Exploitation in the Care Sector.
Unseen runs the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline, and using the data obtained through caller interactions, they have described the demographics of those being exploited and outlined how those working in the care sector are at an increased risk of exploitative harm. Here is a summary of extracts from the report, but do look at the full report here.
The care sector is comprised of a range of different care settings which include residential care homes, adult day-care centres, domiciliary care, and hospices. Abuse and exploitation of workers are evident in all sectors of the UK economy. However, the risks are higher in the care sector than in other sectors because of the significant use of temporary labour and the conditions of employment.
Since 2021, the number of job roles needed in England’s adult social care sector has risen and demand for adult social care continues to grow. In response, the Migration Advisory Committee recommended to the Home Office that care workers be added to the labour shortage list and that pay should be increased. The Home Office added care workers and home carers to the Shortage Occupation List but did not address concerns about low pay. Many care sector roles became eligible for the Health and Care Visa, with the employment of international care providers attached to an eligible sponsor in the UK. This resulted in focused recruitment for cheaper labour from non-EU countries. Of care sector staff recruited in 2022, 90% came from non-EU countries.
The care sector has historically made up a small proportion of the total number of modern slavery cases indicated through the UK’s Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline. But it is on the rise. From seven cases in the whole of 2017, the Helpline indicated 106 cases in 2022, and that figure is continuing to grow in 2023. 712 potential victims of modern slavery were indicated in the care sector in 2022, comprising 18% of all potential victims indicated through the Helpline.
As the UK opens new visa routes for employment to meet labour shortages the potential for exploitation increases. With the care sector’s substantial growth in recent years and its over-reliance on the use of temporary labour, we must be aware of the potential for exploitation to increase.
The support available for people who are thinking about travelling to the UK to take up employment is poor. Not enough information is given to workers about what is and isn’t acceptable practice. Many workers travelling to the UK don’t know their rights and by the time they get to their work destination, it’s often too late and they find themselves trapped by debt, fear of abusive employers, or lack of information.
Some common themes emerge regarding methods used to keep individuals in modern slavery situations in the care sector. Financial control was indicated for almost three-quarters of potential victims (72.5%). With £11,800 being the average amount of debt reported by people who contacted the Helpline, to pay for recruitment, visa, and travel costs. Restricted movement was indicated by nearly half of potential victims (43%). Potential victims had their travel to the UK arranged by the employer, forced to find accommodation within a certain radius of the work premises, or prevented from going to places of worship or attending medical appointments. Threats were also common (34.1%). Threats to revoke certificates of sponsorship or have potential victims deported were commonplace.
As the UK continues to struggle with labour shortages the potential for vulnerable workers to be targeted persists. With the current economic and political climate, we’re likely to see an increase in the number of vulnerable people contacting the Helpline. Unseen’s report concludes with a list of recommendations to help prevent exploitation.
Recommendations:
- Ensure sufficient information about workers’ rights and transfer of sponsorship is provided to people intending to travel to the UK to work in the care sector using a Health and Care visa.
- Introduce additional checks at visa issuing centres in countries of origin to ensure visa applicants have not paid recruitment fees to a third party.
- Implement stricter guidelines around repayment clauses and exit fees. Guidance around exit fees needing to be “proportionate” are too vague, and are easy for unscrupulous employers to abuse.
- Establish a clear channel for reporting to the Home Office and Department of Health employers who charge workers for certificates of sponsorship.
- Increase salaries of care sector staff as recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee.
- Require mandatory modern slavery training to be completed by all Care Quality Commission inspectors and local authority staff.
- Provide Government support to migrant workers whose sponsor’s licence has been revoked.
Link to the full report: Who Cares? Modern slavery in the care sector – Unseen (unseenuk.org)