Migrant care workers form the backbone of social care in the UK. They work tirelessly to provide essential services to our vulnerable populations, including the elderly, disabled, and chronically ill. However, their dedication is compromised by an unjust tied visa system that binds them to a single employer, effectively trapping them in potentially exploitative and abusive conditions. As it stands, these workers face a grim choice: endure poor working conditions or risk deportation if they wish to change employers.

The tied visa system breaches the basic rights of migrant care workers, stripping them of their ability to advocate for fair treatment and better working conditions. According to the latest statistics, around 100,000 care workers are on these restrictive visas. Many report facing severe exploitation, such as unpaid overtime, underpayment, and even verbal or physical abuse. House of Commons and academic reports affirm such exploitation correlating directly to visa constraints, confirming the obligation for policy reform.

We urge the UK government to develop a sector-specific visa that allows care workers the flexibility to change jobs without fear of losing their immigration status. Such a policy change would propagate not only social equity but also enable care workers to perform their duties with honour and dignity. A sector-based visa system would guarantee basic employment rights, create a more efficient and motivated workforce, and diminish the loopholes that currently enable exploitation.

By signing this petition, you support the call for justice and dignity for those who tirelessly care for our society's most vulnerable. Let us show solidarity with migrant care workers and ensure they receive the respect and freedom they deserve. Please sign to make a meaningful change and urge policymakers to take immediate action.

A sector-based visa system would:

Allow job mobility between licensed care providers.
Protect workers from exploitation and fear of deportation.
Encourage fair competition and higher standards in care homes.
Help fill staff shortages more efficiently by keeping experienced carers in the system.

We are calling on the UK Government and the Home Office to:

End the single-employer sponsorship model for care workers.

Introduce a sector-based visa system that protects worker rights and ensures ethical recruitment.

Work with local authorities and care regulators to create transparent, fair pathways for care workers to change jobs safely.