Who Cares? A REVIEW OF REPORTS OF EXPLOITATION IN THE CARE SECTOR
Summary
Date Reported: 16 Oct 2023
Location: United Kingdom
Other
Not Reported ( Health and social care ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 1
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - Location unknown , Health and social care , Gender not reported )Issues
Access to Information , Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure Time , Denial of leave , Minimum WageResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: Having assessed indicators of labour abuse, the Helpline advised the worker of its assessment, signposted her to specialist services to gain employment advice and submitted referrals to HMRC and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) for concerns about national minimum wage and labour abuse
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 16 Oct 2023
Location: United Kingdom
Other
Not Reported ( Health and social care ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 1
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - Location unknown , Health and social care , Gender not reported )Issues
Access to Information , Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure Time , Denial of leave , Minimum WageResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: The Helpline provided signposts to local support and employment advice services. If a route into the Home Office or Department of Health and Social Care existed, to report businesses charging employees for visas, a referral might have been made.
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 16 Oct 2023
Location: United Kingdom
Other
Not Reported ( Health and social care ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 1
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - Zimbabwe , Health and social care , Gender not reported )Issues
Recruitment Fees , Access to Information , Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure Time , Irregular Work , Poverty Wages , Wage Theft , Right to Food , Freedom of Expression , Intimidation , Access to Non-Judicial Remedy , Forced Labour & Modern SlaveryResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: The Helpline assessed indicators of modern slavery, explored support options with the worker and referred the situation to the police, which resulted in an investigation
Source type: News outlet
Summary
Date Reported: 22 Oct 2023
Location: United Kingdom
Other
Not Reported ( Health and social care ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Philippines , Health and social care , Gender not reported )Issues
Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Right to Privacy , Freedom of Expression , Ownership of Property & Possessions , Surveillance , Intimidation , Access to Information , Forced Labour & Modern SlaveryResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: Assessing indicators of modern slavery, the Helpline referred the situation to the police, which resulted in investigation by the Modern Slavery Organised Immigration Crime unit
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 16 Oct 2023
Location: United Kingdom
Other
Not Reported ( Health and social care ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 4
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - India , Health and social care , Gender not reported )Issues
Right to Food , Poverty Wages , Forced Labour & Modern Slavery , Withholding Passports , Restricted mobility , Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure TimeResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: Assessing indicators of modern slavery, the Helpline referred the case to the appropriate police force, where it was reviewed and actioned by their Modern Slavery Team
Source type: NGO
…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…
Throughout 2022 and into 2023 the Helpline has seen a significant rise in the number of cases indicating labour abuse and forced labour in the care sector. Many involve foreign nationals. As the UK opens up new visa routes for employment to meet labour shortages the potential for exploitation increases. Many workers who come to the UK do not know their rights or how to raise a concern.
For many who come to the UK, debt bondage is a significant factor because they have borrowed in their home country to pay for unfair and unlawful recruitment practices, visa fees and travel costs to get to the UK. Many workers pay thousands of pounds to a third-party facilitator to help them navigate the recruitment and visa process. Many are unable to repay the debt, making them more vulnerable to exploitation in the UK. Often, workers are also charged large fees, directly by their employers, for certificates of sponsorship…