LONDON, United Kingdom – The British government is stepping up its fight against employers who exploit foreign workers, especially in the social care sector. New measures were announced on Thursday, aiming to protect vulnerable workers and ensure fair treatment.
Tougher Penalties for Abusive Employers
Under the new rules, businesses that break employment laws—like failing to pay the minimum wage or abusing visa rules—will face stricter consequences. Companies caught repeatedly violating these rules will be banned from hiring foreign workers for two years, doubling the current penalty of 12 months.
Social Care in the Spotlight
The crackdown comes after research revealed widespread abuses in the UK’s social care sector. Migrant workers, who are critical to the health and social care system, have often been pushed into precarious situations. Many face long hours, low pay, and even debt as a result of unethical practices by some employers.
Seema Malhotra, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, condemned these practices, saying, “It’s shameful that workers who come here to help support our care system are being exploited. This must stop.”
Migrants Make Up a Large Part of the Workforce
Nearly one-third of England’s care workers are migrants, with many coming from countries like the Philippines, India, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe. The UK introduced a special visa route for care workers in 2021 to address a labor shortage, but the sector’s poor conditions have made migrant workers more vulnerable to mistreatment.
Recent research found that almost 200 social care providers with permission to employ foreign workers had records of labor violations. Since mid-2022, around 450 licenses allowing companies to hire foreign workers have been revoked in the care sector.
Stricter Monitoring and Corrective Actions
In addition to harsher bans, the government will also extend the duration of action plans for companies with minor visa breaches. These plans, which outline steps businesses must take to fix their mistakes, will now last 12 months instead of three.
These changes are part of the new Employment Rights Bill, which aims to provide stronger protections for workers across the UK.
A Step Towards Fair Treatment
The government hopes these measures will send a clear message: exploitation won’t be tolerated. By holding employers accountable, Britain aims to create a safer, fairer environment for the thousands of migrant workers who play a vital role in its economy.
