Dozens of migrant care workers in the UK say they were charged thousands of pounds for free work visas and forced to work in abusive conditions at care homes. The BBC uncovered these findings in an eight-month investigation, which showed a pattern of exploitation and fear among workers at Lotus Care, a company running care homes across northern England.
Workers said they were threatened with deportation if they spoke up about poor treatment. Some were forced to work double shifts without proper sick leave. Messages seen by the BBC showed care home managers using the threat of cancelling workers’ Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) — a vital document that allows them to stay in the UK — to silence them.
In a WhatsApp message to overseas staff, the company’s owner, Jaydeep Patel, warned: “I take it from the silence that you all happy for your licences to be revoked? I will start the process without further delay.” If their CoS is revoked, migrants have only 60 days to find a new sponsor or face deportation.
Some migrants said they were told to work even while sick. One female worker described the experience as “mental torture,” saying they were overworked and under constant stress. Another worker shared that her friend was shouted at and forced to work despite being ill.
The BBC also found evidence that migrants were charged up to £10,000 for CoS through a Merseyside agency — despite UK law clearly stating these should be paid by the employer. A whistleblower told the BBC she saw over 100 migrants paying in cash at the agency’s office between 2022 and 2023.
The agency and Lotus Care both denied the allegations. Lotus Care said it was unaware of any staff paying for visas and that it follows all legal and ethical standards.
However, BBC reporters secretly recorded Shyam Prabhakar, a former senior agency staff member, offering CoS and job placements in exchange for between £11,500 and £12,000. Prabhakar claimed the job was guaranteed once the money was paid. When later questioned, he denied wrongdoing and claimed he was being framed.
The UK government says it takes such allegations seriously and has pledged to crack down on businesses abusing the visa system. According to Citizens Advice, they regularly see about 120 such exploitation cases each month, with workers reporting withheld pay and worse treatment than UK employees.
Unison and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority both confirm that abuse in the adult social care sector is widespread, with migrants especially vulnerable because their legal stay depends on their employers. A Unison survey found that nearly one in four migrant carers had paid illegal visa fees, and many reported verbal abuse or overwork.
Why are migrant workers not reporting abuse?
Many are afraid that complaining could lead to losing their jobs — and with it, their right to stay in the UK.
Experts are calling for urgent reforms in the care sector to prevent such abuse and ensure that migrant workers are not exploited.
Tips for Migrant Workers in the UK:
- Never pay for your Certificate of Sponsorship — it’s illegal for employers or agents to charge you.
- Keep records of any payments or messages threatening your visa.
- Reach out to Citizens Advice or Unison for free help and legal guidance.
- If you feel unsafe, you can also report abuse to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).
Recommendations:
- The UK government must strengthen protections for migrant workers, enforce stricter checks on care agencies, and hold abusive employers accountable.
- Prospective care workers should research approved sponsors on the official Home Office website to avoid falling victim to scams.