Guest
Widespread exploitation of carers recruited from abroad is the “the number one priority“ for the agency that investigates criminality affecting workers in England and Wales… SKY NEWS (THURSDAY 26 OCT 2023). Carers recruited from abroad subjected to 'widespread exploitation' in the UK A major nationwide investigation into modern slavery in the care sector is now under way, according to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority. Widespread exploitation of carers recruited from abroad is the “the number one priority“ for the agency that investigates criminality affecting workers in England and Wales. The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) told Sky News the Health and Care Worker visa system is being abused by criminals, leading to “a constant stream of allegations“ of fraud and modern slavery. GLAA Senior Investigating Officer Martin Plimmer said there are more than 30 ongoing investigations into care agencies operating illegally and that his organisation still “doesn't know the full extent“ of the problem. “It is our number one priority at the moment,“ he said. “It's the one area, the sector of business - because we deal with labour exploitation - where we have the most intelligence coming into us. Care is by far the number one issue for us as an agency.“ He added: “Two years ago the care sector wasn't on our radar at all“, adding that cases shot up since February 2022 when the government added care workers to the country's Shortage Occupation List allowing people to be recruited from overseas. Carers now account for two in five of all skilled work visas. Mr Plimmer said there are companies established nationwide with the intention of exploiting workers desperate to come to the UK. “The sole purpose of these criminals is to use these people as cash cows. They are running businesses at a much reduced cost because they're not paying them what they're supposed to. They're also charging them excessive fees.“ Sky News has found several victims of this practice across the country. We've previously reported how human traffickers are using the Skilled Worker Visa route and how foreign care workers are left destitute, relying on foodbanks to survive. Some of those illegal recruiters are based in Britain, operating fake and fraudulent care agencies. She's scared to report the agency to the authorities which is why Sky News is not naming the company. But it is one of several agencies which only began operating after the government changed the visa rules for carers. It remains on the list of government-approved sponsors for overseas hiring. 'They'll do a free shift' Sky News has spoken to several care homes who described being bombarded by calls from new care agencies with names they don't recognise. One care home administrator in northwest England said: “We probably get about four or five calls a day asking if we need agency staff and a lot now are phoning and offering that they'll do a free shift.“ She said they also get migrants turning up at the home asking for work “two or three times a day“. As Sky News filmed at the care home, a man and woman, wet through from the pouring rain, knocked on the door, hoping to find some work. They were turned away. 'Very close to people trafficking' Neil Russell runs PJ Care which has homes in Milton Keynes and Peterborough. He told Sky News: “Over the last six to eight months we've seen an increase in approaches from care agencies offering staff to cover shifts. Some of the approaches are very desperate, almost begging us to use them.“ “These new agencies feel a little bit fly-by-night. And it's quite concerning that we could end up with somebody working here who's not got the clearances, not got the right training and could end up damaging or harming one of our residents that we're trying to provide care for.“ His company offers legitimate Health and Care Worker visa sponsorship, but last year he paused overseas recruitment after discovering an agent he'd paid to find staff abroad had also illegally charged a worker for her visa. “It's very, very close to people trafficking,“ he said, about a practice he now believes is widespread in his industry. Asked how much bogus recruiters are charging workers he said: “We're talking about £15,000 and then we're paying the same amount.“ “£30,000 to bring somebody over - it's probably more than the transporters are getting for the rubber dinghies coming across the Channel. And they're doing less work for it. It's ridiculous.“ A Home Office spokesperson said: “We strongly condemn offering Health and Care Worker visa holders employment under false pretences. “The government does not tolerate illegal activity in the labour market and any accusations of illegal employment practices will be thoroughly looked into. “Those found operating unlawfully may face prosecution and/or removal from the sponsorship register.“
