In a significant move, migrant care workers and members of the UK's largest union, Unison, are launching a mass leafleting campaign in the Birmingham constituency of Labour's Shabana Mahmood. This action is a direct protest against proposed changes to immigration policy that would double the time required for migrant care workers to apply for settlement in the UK, from five to ten years.
Unprecedented Union Action Against Labour Policy
Union sources indicate that this campaign represents the first instance where a major Labour-affiliated union is mobilising en masse to lobby against a key party policy. The initiative is part of Unison's broader Fair Visas Now campaign, which aims to address concerns over the earned settlement proposals outlined in a recent white paper.
Targeting Constituents in Ladywood
Union members plan to distribute leaflets to approximately one-third of the roughly 55,000 constituents in the Ladywood area of Birmingham, which is represented by Shabana Mahmood. This targeted approach seeks to raise awareness and garner support from local residents ahead of a national day of action scheduled for Friday.
The campaign highlights the critical role of migrant workers in the care sector, with about one-third of all care workers and one-fifth of NHS staff being migrants. Unison has raised alarms that the proposed changes could exacerbate existing strains in social care, which already faces tens of thousands of vacancies.
Voices from the Frontlines
Migrant care workers participating in the campaign have shared their personal stories. One worker, who holds a degree, postgraduate qualifications, and is a qualified accountant and accredited fraud investigator, expressed devastation over the planned extension. "We had a legitimate expectation that we could apply to settle here after five years," she said. "Somebody gave the home secretary wings to allow her to fly. She should allow the same for our children. I hope she will hear our voices."
Another migrant care worker, who supports people with disabilities, described the impact on his family. "I felt devastated when I heard about the proposed changes. British people are known for their compassion. We urge the home secretary to show compassion in this situation. We have had the rug pulled from under our feet," he stated.
Union Demands and Government Response
Unison is calling for a revision of sponsorship rules for visas, advocating for a public-sector body to manage sponsorship instead of employers, which officials argue can lead to exploitation. The union's general secretary, Andrea Egan, emphasised the risks of driving experienced staff out of the sector. "If the government's serious about fixing social care, it must match its ambitions on pay and standards with fair treatment for the workforce," Egan said. "But the best way to start is by scrapping these cruel, unnecessary proposals."
A Home Office spokesperson defended the policy, stating, "We will always welcome those that come to this country and contribute to our national life. But the privilege of living here forever should be earned, not automatic." The spokesperson noted that between 2021 and 2024, the UK experienced migration levels historically seen over four decades, necessitating honesty about the impact of low-skilled migrants seeking settlement. The government is reviewing 200,000 responses from a consultation that ended in February and will outline its response in due course.
This leafleting campaign underscores growing tensions within Labour ranks over immigration policy, as Unison takes a bold stance to protect migrant workers' rights and stability in the care sector.
