A government scheme set up to support migrant care workers in the UK is not working as planned, according to a new report by the Work Rights Centre. The £16 million “rematching” programme was designed to help carers who were abused or lost their jobs find new employment. But the charity says the system has failed most of those it promised to help.
The scheme was introduced in response to growing concerns about migrant care workers facing mistreatment, especially after post-Brexit labour shortages. Nearly one in three carers in England are migrants, many of whom moved to the UK with hopes of stable work. However, strict visa rules that tie workers to employers have left many vulnerable to exploitation, with cases of unfair fees, poor conditions, and even modern slavery.
Why is the UK migrant carer scheme failing?
Only 3.4% of over 27,000 carers contacted through the programme were able to find new jobs. High visa costs, lack of transportation, and strict employer expectations have created major obstacles. Many employers want workers who own cars so they can visit private homes, while some demand high levels of English and references that carers cannot provide—especially when their previous employers had their licences revoked.
The Work Rights Centre said that the government did not set a clear goal for how many workers the scheme should help. Without strong support or reforms to the visa system, most migrant carers remain stuck. Many simply cannot afford the costs of switching jobs or do not even know the scheme exists.
Adis Sehic, policy manager at the Work Rights Centre, criticised the government for offering what he called “a slim chance at a new job” as the only support for victims of exploitation. He said this was not enough to make up for the serious harm suffered by migrant workers in the care sector.
The charity also pointed out that tying visas to employers creates an unfair power balance. Workers are often too afraid to report abuse for fear of losing their job—and their right to stay in the UK. This has allowed some employers to take advantage of migrant carers without fear of consequences.
As the UK continues to rely heavily on migrant carers to support its ageing population, experts say there is an urgent need to reform the visa system. Without action, the same workers who keep the care system running may continue to face mistreatment, debt, and few chances of recovery.