Care workers from abroad illegally charged thousands in recruitment fees

Care workers arriving from abroad to work in care homes and in home care services are being charged thousands in illegal fees by recruitment agencies.

It is illegal for recruitment agencies to charge job candidates a fee for trying to find them work but an investigation by the Observer has found migrant care workers being paid £10 an hour jobs are getting charged ‘admin’ and ‘service’ fees ranging from £3,000 to £18,000.

Tied up by financial chains called 'debt bondage'

Care workers from the Philippines, India, Africa and elsewhere abroad are finding themselves trapped into modern slavery known as ‘debt bondage’ by agents who deduct money from their wages, withhold their passports and even resident permits until the large fees are repaid.

Earlier this year, the government added care workers to Britain’s shortage occupation list to try to make it easier for foreign workers to start care jobs in the UK. But this year has also seen a number of raids linked to the care sector by the Home Office’s Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) investigating modern slavery abuses.

CQC's Kate Terroni notes 'rise' in modern slavery

Kate Terroni, chief inspector of adult social care at England’s care regulator the Care Quality Commission has said there had been a “notable rise” in referrals for modern slavery in 2022. This year so far, there have been 14 referrals – double the number for 2021.

In December, a couple running a recruitment agency were arrested following a GLAA raid on their home and other addresses on suspicion of exploiting vulnerable students and supplying them to six care homes in North Wales. Nine Indian students were identified as potential victims of modern slavery and labour abuse with GLAA officers finding workers sleeping on mattresses on the floor in cramped, cold and unsanitary conditions.

The workers were said to be always hungry and were even spotted at work eating leftovers from meals given to care home residents. Working with Welsh regulator the Care Inspectorate, all the care homes that used workers supplied by the couple's recruitment agency were notified.

GLAA chief: 'Be aware of the signs of exploitation'

GLAA Senior Investigating Officer Martin Plimmer said: “We would encourage members of the public to remain vigilant and to be aware of the signs of exploitation in this sector. Most importantly, we would urge you to report your concerns to us. Your information really counts and allows us to conduct operations such as this one.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We take any reports of unsafe and illegal employment practices in the social care sector very seriously. All providers should be meeting the clear ethical standards laid out in our Code of Practice for International Recruitment."

The government published a revised Code of Practice for International Recruitment in February 2021. The DHSC spokesman added: “Any accusations of illegal employment practices will be fully investigated by the Gangmaster and Labour Abuse Authority, and those found operating unlawfully may face prosecution.”

The public can call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.