Nigerian care worker Kolade says he was left in tears after being excluded from talks with Shabana Mahmood over proposed changes to immigration systemKolade, who moved to Britain in 2022, said he felt ‘humiliated’ after being excluded from the meeting.
The meeting, scheduled for 21 October, was to be the first between Mahmood and the general secretary of Unison, Andrea Egan, since she took office. Egan planned to attend alongside a union policy officer and Kolade, who had been selected by fellow migrant workers to represent them.
Two hours before the meeting, the home secretary’s office informed Unison that Kolade would not be permitted to attend because Mahmood considered his presence “inappropriate”, according to the union.
Egan said ministers should welcome opportunities to hear directly from workers about their experiences. “Kolade is a dedicated care worker and an inspirational campaigner. In other words, he’s a true representative of our migrant workers,” she said.
“The government should be celebrating these brilliant people who give everything to care for our loved ones and keep us healthy. Not demonising, attacking and leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.”
UNISON has partially welcomed the home secretary’s announcement on visa reforms on 2 November – but the union has continued to demand a sector-wide visa for social care.
UNISON general secretary Andrea Egan said: “UNISON has led the charge against the home secretary’s plans, with migrant workers themselves organising an inspiring campaign through the union. So we are glad she has finally listened to us and not implemented the worst aspects.
“These plans were morally bankrupt and a threat to public services, and they should be dropped altogether.
“The government has spent a year attacking workers who are the backbone of our health and social care system in a futile attempt to appease the far right. It’s time to stop demonising migrant workers and start celebrating their contribution.”
On the changes to indefinite leave to remain plans, Andrea added: “Care workers will only qualify for the exemption if they can prove continuous employment and meet salary thresholds. The government must make sure it isn’t unjustly denied to them.
“Thousands of migrant care workers have had their employment patterns and pay disrupted by rogue employers. Penalising workers for that would be completely unfair and risk another Home Office scandal.
“We urgently need a sector-wide visa for social care, ending a system that ties migrant care workers to a single employer and leaves them vulnerable to exploitation, extortion and abuse.
“The power of employers to threaten workers with deportation or disrupt their route to settlement must end. UNISON’s Fair Visas Now campaign will continue until it does, and there is justice for migrant workers.”
