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The UK government's proposal to double the waiting period for permanent residency from five to ten years has sparked fierce criticism from migrant care workers, labor rights organizations, and trade unions, who warn the policy could deepen exploitation in the country's social care sector.
The controversy has also triggered tensions within the government after Home Office minister Mike Tapp publicly argued that migrant care workers should be exempt from the proposed immigration changes. His comments have reportedly placed him at odds with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who is said to have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to dismiss him. According to reports, Tapp's access to sensitive Home Office documents and high-level meetings has also been restricted following allegations that he disclosed internal policy discussions.
Worker advocacy groups have strongly supported Tapp's position, arguing that migrant care workers entered the UK legally after being recruited to address severe staffing shortages and should not be penalized by retrospective rule changes.
Dr. Dora-Olivia Vicol, Chief Executive of the Work Rights Centre, described the proposal as both unfair and morally unacceptable.
"These workers responded to the UK's call for help and came here through legal routes. Changing the rules after they have already built their lives here is both cruel and unconscionable," she said, adding that exempting care workers from the new settlement requirement should be an immediate priority.
Trade union leaders echoed similar concerns. Gavin Edwards, Head of Social Care at Unison, criticized the proposal as a betrayal of workers who have supported one of the country's most essential public services.
He warned that the sponsorship visa system already leaves many care workers vulnerable because their immigration status is tied to a single employer until they receive indefinite leave to remain. This dependency, he said, has created widespread opportunities for abuse and exploitation.
Several migrant care workers shared personal experiences that illustrate these concerns.
One Zimbabwean care worker, who arrived in Britain in 2022, said she endured shocking living conditions after her employer forced her to stay in a small wooden shed with no running water and only a bucket to use as a toilet overnight.
Having sold valuable possessions and borrowed money from relatives to finance her move, she felt unable to report the abuse for fear of losing her visa and being forced to return home.
Now only months away from qualifying for permanent residency under the current five-year system, she fears the government's proposed changes could delay her security and independence by another five years.
Despite the hardship, she said she remains committed to her profession, recently completing advanced qualifications in health and social care management while hoping to continue contributing to her community.
Another care worker from Nigeria described working exhausting schedules, often leaving home before dawn and returning late at night with virtually no time to spend with her teenage daughter.
She said the constant pressure to protect her visa prevents many workers from raising concerns about excessive hours or poor treatment.
Calling the proposed extension "inhumane," she warned that many sponsored workers already feel trapped by employers who hold significant control over their immigration future.
Campaigners argue that extending the settlement period could leave thousands of migrant care workers exposed to exploitation for much longer, while discouraging skilled professionals from remaining in a sector already facing serious workforce shortages.
As political disagreements continue within the government, care workers and advocacy organizations are urging ministers to reconsider the policy and provide exemptions for those who have played a crucial role in supporting Britain's health and social care services.
