Newly Announced Care Workers Union Charter, Starmer at Interpol, Seasonal Work Visas and Other November 2024 Updates

Migrant Care Workers Charter Launched to Protect Foreign Workers’ Rights in UK

Foreign care workers and the trade union Unison have teamed up to launch the Migrant Care Workers Charter, which will protect the rights of foreign workers in the UK.

The charter has been written to help crack down on the exploitation of foreign care workers, particularly those who may be left in vulnerable or precarious positions if they lose their status in the UK.

The charter has been backed and signed by Salford City Council, who are one of the organisations committed to identifying or acting as an “employer of last resort” to help workers who have been victimised or lost a job through no fault of their own to stay in the UK.

Concerns have been raised in recent years over the rise in exploitation of foreign workers. These have included cases where workers have paid thousands of pounds to fraudulent recruiters to find that there was no work available for them in the UK, and employers who fail to provide adequate accommodation or salary provisions.

The mayor of Salford, Paul Dennett, commented: “I hope many other local authorities across the country, especially Labour-controlled ones who have a historic responsibility to work hand in hand with trade unions, commit to [it] just as we have, and begin the fightback against the exploitative conditions in this sector, because ultimately, better conditions for care workers mean better standards of care for residents.”

UK Government Announces 45,000 Seasonal Worker Visas to be Available in 2025

The next yearly allocation for Seasonal Worker visas has been announced by the UK government, in addition to extra measures to provide stability to UK farmers and growers.

43,000 visas will be available for horticulture workers in 2025, while 2,000 will be available to poultry workers.

The government are also introducing measures to protect poultry farmers from the effects of avian flu and to regulate the pricing and classification of sheep.

Daniel Zeichner, the Food Security Minister, stated that “

This government recognises that food security is national security, and this can only be achieved by supporting food and farming businesses. Confirming the seasonal worker visa allocation for 2025 gives growers and producers certainty, allowing them to plan ahead and secure the labour they need to grow and thrive.”

The news also comes in the wake of Defra’s 2023 Seasonal Workers Survey report, which shows that 91.0% of seasonal workers in 2024 reported a positive experience from their time working in the UK, with a further 95% expressing a desire to return.

Kier Starmer to Invest Funds to Tackle English Channel People Smuggling

Kier Starmer has announced that his government will invest £75 million and appoint a new team of detectives to tackle the “national security threat” of people smugglers across the English Channel.

Speaking at the Interpol general assembly in Glasgow, the Prime Minister also announced an increase in funding to £150 million for the newly launched Border Security Command, which will be spent on additional high-tech surveillance equipment and specialist investigators.

Starmer has compared his new approach to tackling people smuggling to counter-terrorism measures.

He stated that: “The world needs to wake up to the severity of this challenge. I was elected to deliver security for the British people. And strong borders are a part of that. But security doesn’t stop at our borders…We’re taking our approach to counter-terrorism, which we know works, and applying it to the gangs, with our new Border Security Command. We’re ending the fragmentation between policing, Border Force and our intelligence agencies.”

Around 5,417 were documented to cross the Channel into England in October of this year, which is the highest figure in two years.

No Devolved Immigration Powers for Scotland, States Starmer

While also speaking at the Interpol conference in Glasgow, Starmer shot down any speculation that Westminster may be seeking to grant devolved immigration powers to Holyrood.

When asked if this might be a possibility given Starmer’s desire to “reset” the relationship between Westminster and Holyrood, Starmer stated, “No, we’re not looking at that”.

There had previously been talks amongst the UK and Scottish government that Holyrood may be given independent controls over Scottish immigration, including a dedicated visa system.

This policy was pushed by key Scottish politicians such as the Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, who stated earlier this year that “UK migration policies are actively harming Scotland’s economic growth and prosperity and a tailored migration system suited to Scotland’s specific circumstances is long overdue”.

Further speculation was provided by MP for Glasgow East John Grady, who stated in October that Labour Ministers are working on proposals.

The Interpol General Assembly runs until the 7th November.

How Can IAS Help With Your UK Visa Application?

IAS have a team of immigration advisers and caseworkers experienced in the field of UK immigration law.

Regardless of where you’re coming from or what your chosen immigration pathway is, we can help you with almost all UK immigration and visa cases, using our years of experience and compassionate customer service to help get you to where you need to go.

We also offer fast-track and urgent application packages if you need to submit your application to a deadline.

Don’t hesitate to reach out for help on your situation today. Call us on +44 (0)333 414 9244 or reach out to us online.