RCN calls for urgent investigation into exploitation of migrant care workers

Rogue employers are misusing repayment clauses to demand large sums of money from migrant care workers, trapping them in appalling conditions

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has called on the UK government to launch an urgent investigation into the exploitation of migrant care workers, following a sharp rise in reported cases.

According to new RCN data, there has been a six-fold increase in the number of overseas care workers being exploited by rogue employers over the past three years.

In 2020/21, the RCN's advice team handled 22 calls from members regarding repayment clauses in their contracts. This figure shot up to 134 in 2023/24, with May 2024 alone seeing 17 calls – the highest in a single month.

The RCN highlighted that repayment clauses are being misused by employers to demand thousands of pounds from migrant care workers, leaving staff unable to leave their jobs and trapped in “appalling conditions” years after they were first hired.

“Rather than recouping hiring costs, the clauses are being used to extort money from low-paid migrants,” it said.

The RCN cited a reported case of one care worker who suffered severe bullying and harassment but was unable to leave the role due to a £10,000 repayment demand, despite no specific figure of repayment figure being included in their original contract.

Another worker, who resigned after being assaulted and racially abused at the workplace, was told they owed over £3,000 for visa costs.

A third case involved a worker whose employment was immediately terminated after testing positive for COVID-19, leaving the member jobless and facing a large repayment fee.

RCN General Secretary & Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger said: “Rogue employers appear to be forcing migrants to pay thousands of pounds just to leave jobs and threatening them with deportation.

“Those who come to the UK to care for the vulnerable deserve so much better than this exploitation.”

Ranger stressed that the reported cases represent only "the tip of the iceberg," highlighting that migrant workers are often “intimidated and left fearful of speaking out” with some even having their passports withheld.

Moreover, she pointed out that these workers are also much less likely to be members of trade unions.

“The exploitation being allowed to spread is deeply inhumane and undermines the entire social care sector,” Ranger stated.

The RCN is urging the government to fulfill its election campaign promise of investigating these practices.

Ranger said: “Faced with our evidence, ministers were right to commit to an investigation during the election campaign and this must now happen with urgency. Lives are being destroyed every day and this cannot wait. We need action to protect our migrant care workers and raise standards in the sector.”

The RCN hopes to work in partnership with the government to ensure the voices of victims are heard and to develop policy solutions that eradicate these exploitative practices.