End social care worker exploitation now, demands RCN

Migrant care workers are being exploited daily, according to a major Guardian investigation supported by the RCN. 

The investigation reveals a stark story of agencies selling fake jobs, staff being locked into contracts and passports being withheld if staff don’t pay arbitrary charges.

The open letter says: “The exploitation of migrant care workers is a national scandal and the next UK government must tackle it.”

We’re asking members to sign our open letter to help put an immediate stop to the exploitation of care workers. It takes just a few minutes.

The RCN’s pressure has already seen both the Labour party and the Liberal Democrats indicate they would support a form of investigation. But the College is urging members to keep the pressure on. It must be a full, sector-wide investigation carried out urgently after the election. 

Our open letter says: “Faced with chronic understaffing, the social care sector has increased its recruitment of staff from overseas. A lack of regulation and enforcement has allowed rogue employers to profit from abuse of labour standards.

“Nursing staff working in social care protect some of the most vulnerable people in our society. This exploitation can’t continue.”

The open letter is calling on all party leaders to:  

• launch an urgent sector-wide investigation into exploitation in the social care sector 

• provide authorities the funding needed to enforce employment standards for the safety of social care staff

• uphold licensing standards to hold employers accountable for safe and legal recruitment practices.

Sign the open letter here.