The closure of social welfare jobs for migrant workers will not only harm the sector, which is already in a crisis

A large point of discussion appears from the UK government Recently The immigration system reform plans were the proposal to end employment from social welfare workers from abroad. Anyone who has tried the sector will know recently that it relies heavily on workers from abroad. So this step – which was placed in a new white sheet has gone further than expected – will have huge effects.

For those international workers who are already seeking to work in this sector, they will allow them to extend their visa until 2028. Other UK citizens will be able to have the right to work to turn into a social welfare position.

Critics They argued to fix the visa system that allows employers Recruitment workers from abroad Amid widespread and regular evidence The exploitation of workers. But the health and care visa plan, without any proposed alternative, was unexpected.

In fact, 2024 Adult’s social welfare strategyWhich was published by the Skills of the Industry Authority for Care, she admitted that international workers were “decisive” for the sector. It also recommended that the UK immigration policy recognize the sector’s needs to recruit care workers from abroad.

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The government’s decision to make the reduction of clear immigration clarifies the central plate of its immigration policy, its clear ignorance of the care sector. This is based on the belief that contradicts research, that it becomes more stringent in immigration will fight the electoral threat represented by the right -wing Islah party.

In fact, the share of the net deportation taken by the care factor visa has decreased. This is not another because of the government’s decision to ban those who are on the visa from Bringing the dependents.

Care work was classified as a “low skills” work by the previous conservative government when it introduced the new global immigration system based on January 2021. This classification made the sector in particular in the context of the preference of the white paper of migration into “high skilled” jobs because of its alleged economic benefits.

This approach distinguishes certain sectors of others, leaving the care sector that faces huge work gaps. However, unlike the position of the white paper, Evidence shows 54 % of people in the UK prefer to make people come to come to the UK for care, which means that the public is aware of the value of this sector.

On the contrary, although only 27 % prefer to facilitate people to attend in the financial sector, the white paper suggests providing preferential treatment for this sector.

The government’s vision is that “British workers” will replace migrants in the care sector. However, the white paper does not provide any evidence that migrant workers were “British workers” in this industry. Instead, he admits that low employment rates and retaining them “are largely driven by historical levels of poor wage, conditions and bad conditions.”

This is a methodological issue. Although care is crucial for human survival and society’s work, the work it requires as well Unpaid or very low.

Workers unions and Research evidence Highlighting the main barriers in front of and keeping them: Low wage rates In the sector, zero -hour decades spread (21 % in March 2024), Limited opportunities for training and job progress, as well as a decrease in the situation in care work.

The government defended its white paper by referring to its plans to meet the challenges of employment and retain them, especially through measures such as Fair salary agreementthe Employment rights bill and Care for the workforceWhich aims to improve wages and conditions in the sector. But Care England said these initiatives “Years far from delivery” And lack of funding.

The proposed fair salary agreement, through which the government hopes to address the employment crisis in social welfare, would give care workers to collective negotiation authorities and provide stronger enforcement of agreements on wages, conditions and terms. the government Impact evaluation However, it indicates that the agreement will increase the costs to the councils, as well as those who finance their care. The high costs of councils must be reduced by increasing investment from the central government.

Martin GreenEngland CEO, and Christina McaniaThe Secretary -General of the Labor Federation said that photographing the white paper for “low -skills” care adds to its low social situation. It also contradicts the professional agenda stipulated in the course of the workforce that belongs to the government. Of course, it undermines efforts to attract “British workers” to the sector.

Employment crisis

Meanwhile, the latest data appears from the Skills of the Industry Care that the sector has 131,000 vacancies In England alone. The average vacancy at 8.3 % above 6.9 % for NHS, and much higher than 2.8 % for the economy as a whole.

The same data source estimates that 540,000 new social care publications will be necessary by 2040 to meet the increasing demand, as more people live for a longer period Main diseases and disabilities. Relatives are placed Tremendous pressure To fill these gaps in care, without wages or resources to do so.

Without international care workers who helped in the social welfare sector to preserve it The head is above the water Since Britain exit from the European Union, expectations have appeared to be unimaginable to the health and welfare of workers in the Strip. This is before we think about influencing some of the most vulnerable people in society who need to care and support them, as well as their families and relatives.