The government must pause “reckless” reforms to the status of migrant workers if it’s to avoid another Windrush-style scandal, says UNISON today (Thursday).
Ministers want to at least double the period required for individuals to gain settled status in the UK, with key social care and low-paid NHS workers having to wait 15 years.
In its submission to a government consultation that closes today, the union warns the changes could have life-altering consequences for affected workers and their families.
UNISON says the Home Office has failed to fully assess the impact of the proposals and the consultation is flawed and inadequate.
The NHS and social care workforce are likely to be hit particularly hard and left with significant vacancies, says the union, with no proper modelling undertaken by ministers to measure the impact.
Earlier this month, the government admitted it didn’t know how many NHS staff would be affected by the changes.
UNISON says salary threshold changes are also hitting public services, particularly the NHS.
UNISON general secretary Andrea Egan said: “Ministers must pause these proposals immediately and properly investigate the effect of any reforms.
“Failure to look at all the consequences is reckless. There’s a risk they’ll have another Windrush-style scandal on their hands.
“You cannot move the goalposts and retrospectively extend the qualifying period to people who came to the UK under existing rules.
“Due to salary thresholds, thousands of workers have already been left unable to renew or update their visas, or change employer. As a result, many are losing the right to live and work in the UK.
“The Home Office consultation refers to overseas social care staff as ‘low waged and low skilled’. The country should be thanking these workers, not insulting them. The care sector can’t be built on exploited, dehumanised workers.
“Ministers should be overhauling the visa system to prevent bad employers threatening staff with deportation. Without a sector-wide visa scheme in social care, the Employment Rights Act will be a mirage for some of the most vulnerable workers in the UK.”