Increase In Reports Of Migrant Care Worker Contract Exploitation

The number of foreign social care workers reporting that they are trapped in exploitative contracts has, according from data from the Royal College of Nurses risen sixfold over the last three years.

According to the data employers are using repayment clauses to demand thousands of pounds from migrant care workers who want to leave their jobs, claiming the money is to cover hiring costs, according to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).

In 2021-22, the union received 22 calls from members about repayment clauses; in 2023-24, it heard 134 complaints and cited a reported case of one care worker who suffered severe bullying and harassment but was unable to leave the role due to a £10,000 repayment demand, despite no specific figure of repayment figure being included in their original contract.

The RCN warned that the figures were the tip of the iceberg, since many migrant care workers are not trade union members, or may be too afraid to report their employers.

It called on the Government to launch an urgent investigation, something the new home secretary promised during the General Election campaign.

RCN general secretary and chief executive Nicola Ranger said: ‘The exploitation being allowed to spread is deeply inhumane and undermines the entire social care sector.

‘Faced with our evidence, ministers were right to commit to an investigation during the election campaign and this must now happen with urgency.’

A government spokesperson said: ‘There has been an unacceptable rise in the recorded abuse and exploitation of care workers in the adult social care sector.

‘The sponsorship system, which holds providers to highest standards, has highlighted these unethical practices, and urgent work is taking place across the sector to address this.’