The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has seen an eight-fold increase in concerns raised by migrant nursing staff who fear they are victims of exploitation within the social care sector.
In a letter to the home secretary, RCN general secretary and chief executive Professor Nicola Ranger said internationally recruited nursing staff were being failed by government inaction and urged officials to urgently launch a previously promised investigation into the issue.
Analysis of calls made to the RCN advice team showed that the number of calls from migrant social care nursing staff concerned they are being exploited has risen from 12 in 2020 to 110 in 2024.
The union said there were examples of employers using repayment clauses to demand tens of thousands of pounds from care workers if they try to leave their jobs – leaving ‘many trapped in appalling conditions’.
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One nurse told the RCN she was subject to a repayment fee of £25,000, despite NHS employers’ guidance establishing a maximum repayment figure of £3,000, which can only be claimed if the employee leaves their role within a year.
After 12 months, the money that can be reclaimed is lowered to £1,500 and after 24 months the figure falls to a maximum of £750.
The union believes more protections are needed to enable staff to leave exploitative work and is urging government to create alternative models to the current visa process, which ties internationally recruited staff to their employer via sponsorship.
The RCN says the 60-day limit placed on staff to find new employment if they leave their role should also be extended.
Before the general election last year, home secretary Yvette Cooper promised the government would launch an investigation into the issue through a newly established enforcement body.
But the union believes this investigation will not be completed until spring 2026 at the earliest.
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In a letter to the home secretary, Professor Nicola Ranger called on the government to launch the promised investigation immediately to ensure victims are not ‘let down by lengthy processes’.
‘The commitment by the Labour Party was an important step in recognising the severity and urgency of this matter. In government, you have power to act and turn this promise into action.’
In response, a home office spokesperson said: ‘There has been an unacceptable rise in the recorded abuse and exploitation of care workers in the adult social care sector.
‘The sponsorship system, which holds providers to highest standards, has highlighted these unethical practices, and urgent work is taking place across the sector to address this.’
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Last August, an RCN report found that almost two-thirds of migrant nursing staff were considering leaving the UK due to rising costs.
