The UK Government is tightening regulations on visa compliance, doubling sanctions for employers found violating immigration rules. New measures target worker exploitation, especially in the care sector, ensuring migrant workers receive fair treatment.
The UK government is set to introduce stricter regulations to curb the exploitation of foreign workers. The Employment Rights Bill, currently undergoing Parliamentary debate, will empower authorities to impose severe penalties on employers who violate visa rules or fail to meet minimum wage standards.
Tougher Penalties for Rule-Breaking Employers
Under new proposals outlined in the Employment Rights Bill, the government plans to double the period employers can be sanctioned for serious breaches, such as:
- Failing to pay the minimum wage.
- Repeatedly violating visa rules.
Currently, companies are restricted from hiring foreign workers after such violations for one year. The new measures will extend this to two years, making it harder for non-compliant businesses to access international talent.
Strengthened Enforcement and Action Plans
The reforms will also introduce more stringent enforceable action plans. These plans, which mandate improvements for companies committing visa breaches, will now last for one year instead of three months. During this period, affected employers will be restricted from hiring overseas workers.
Impact on the Care Sector
The crackdown targets sectors with high risks of worker exploitation, especially health and social care. Migrant workers in this sector have been particularly vulnerable, often finding themselves in precarious situations due to unethical practices.
According to the Home Office:
- 450 sponsor licenses in the care sector have been revoked since July 2022.
- Efforts are underway to help affected care workers transition to new jobs when their sponsors lose licenses.
Government’s Stance on Worker Exploitation
Migration Minister Seema Malhotra emphasized the government’s commitment to holding employers accountable. She stated that businesses exploiting migrant workers or shifting visa sponsorship costs onto employees will face significant consequences.
“Worker exploitation is completely unacceptable,” Malhotra added, highlighting the need to protect foreign workers from falling into debt and insecurity.
Health Minister Stephen Kinnock echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of migrant workers in the UK’s social care sector and the need to safeguard them from unethical practices.
Future Expansion of Rule Changes
The initial focus will be on skilled worker visas, including care workers. However, the government plans to extend these rules to other visa categories in the future.
Key Takeaways for Employers
Employers must comply with visa rules and immigration regulations to avoid strict penalties, including:
- Paying all costs associated with visa sponsorship.
- Adhering to minimum wage requirements.
- Following immigration regulations diligently.
Failure to meet these standards could result in up to two years of sanctions and restrictions on hiring overseas workers. The government is focusing on protecting vulnerable workers, particularly in the care sector, by cracking down on exploitation and advocating for reforms in the sponsorship system.
