Migrant care workers in Cardiff are facing threats from employers, discrimination, and unfair working conditions, according to concerns raised by Cardiff Council. The warning came from Angela Bourges, the council’s operational manager for strategy, quality, and commissioning, during a community and adult services scrutiny committee meeting.
Ms Bourges explained that some care workers, particularly those on visa sponsorship, have reported being pressured into working extra hours under the threat of losing their sponsorship. She said some workers have also faced discrimination, such as being given less desirable shifts compared to their colleagues. These practices, while carried out by a small number of providers, are creating serious challenges for many vulnerable workers.
The council official highlighted that migrant care workers are especially at risk because many have no family or social networks in the UK to support them. With childcare and daily life challenges to manage, threats from employers place them in an even more difficult position. Sponsored workers arrive in the UK under the health and care worker visa, which ties them directly to their employer for their right to stay in the country.
Ms Bourges stressed that while most employers treat workers fairly, there are cases where sponsorship has been used as a tool of control. Cardiff Council has pledged to monitor such cases carefully by reviewing payslips, staff rotas, and other evidence to ensure fair treatment. The aim, she said, is not only to investigate but also to work with providers to help them understand what fair work practices should look like.
The issue has become more pressing after the UK Government announced changes to overseas recruitment of care workers. From July 2025, employers can no longer sponsor new care workers from abroad. While in-country applications will still be allowed until 2028, the changes could leave cities like Cardiff facing staff shortages, as many care agencies rely heavily on migrant workers.
Council figures show that the percentage of care agencies in Cardiff using the sponsorship scheme has increased from 48% in 2024 to 56% in 2025. In some agencies, nearly the entire workforce is made up of sponsored migrant workers. Ms Bourges warned that if this workforce were reduced, it could cause serious disruptions to the care system, directly affecting vulnerable people who rely on these services.
She explained that while the unfair practices are not widespread, even a small number of cases are concerning because of the power imbalance between sponsored workers and their employers. The council is taking steps to intervene discreetly where problems are identified and to make sure that workers know their rights.
The concerns underline how much the UK’s social care system depends on migrant workers. With immigration changes set to reshape the sector, Cardiff Council fears that both workers and care recipients could face greater challenges in the years ahead unless stronger protections and fairer practices are put in place.