UK Government Scheme Fails to Support Exploited Migrant Care Workers
A recent investigation by The Guardian has revealed a staggering failure in the UK government's response to the exploitation of migrant care workers. A scheme introduced to help these workers escape abusive conditions and find legitimate employment has assisted less than 4% of those affected—just 941 out of an estimated 28,000. This shortfall occurs despite ongoing worker shortages in the care sector, with over 131,000 vacancies reported across the UK .
The Crisis Behind the Numbers
In the wake of COVID-19, the UK opened its doors to thousands of care workers from overseas, recruiting under employer-sponsored Health and Care Worker visas to meet a growing demand. Many of these workers arrived in good faith, only to be met with deeply exploitative practices:
They were charged thousands in illegal recruitment fees.
Many arrived to find jobs did not exist or were significantly different from what had been promised.
Some received wages far below the legal minimum or were left unpaid entirely.
Since 2022, the government has revoked the licenses of 470 care providers found guilty of such violations .
Ineffectiveness of the Government Scheme
The government's response involved a multimillion-pound scheme designed to rematch these exploited workers with legitimate employers. However, data obtained through freedom of information requests indicates that only a fraction of the affected workers have benefited. Dr. Dora-Olivia Vicol, chief executive of the Work Rights Centre, criticized the program, stating:
"After Covid, England desperately needed more care workers, and thousands of people from around the world answered that call in good faith. But instead of jobs they got scams, and instead of justice they got a referral to a programme that simply doesn't work as intended."
Calls for Reform
At Tulia, we work closely with migrant care workers every day, and we see first-hand the human cost of these systemic failures. Through our free legal advice drop-ins, community workshops, and one-on-one advocacy, we've supported individuals who came to the UK full of hope, only to be trapped in cycles of exploitation, debt, and legal uncertainty.
What's happening is not just a policy failure—it's a humanitarian one.
Based on the reality we witness in our communities, we call on the UK government to act urgently and decisively:
Decouple visas from single employers - Migrant workers should be allowed to change jobs without losing their legal status. Tied visas create the perfect conditions for abuse.
Crack down on exploitative care providers - We need enforcement, transparency, and real consequences for those who profit from human vulnerability.
Invest in practical support systems - Legal advice, mental health care, housing assistance, and reliable job-matching services must be available and accessible—not just promised on paper.
Thousands of migrant care workers came to the UK to care for others. It's time we cared for them in return.
We urge policymakers, care sector leaders, and fellow advocacy organisations to stand with us in demanding a fairer, more humane system—one that centres dignity, justice, and accountability.
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At Tulia, we believe that everyone deserves to have a safe and welcoming place to call home. We are committed to helping migrants settle well in the UK and to achieve their full potential. Don’t forget to share this article!
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