Salford Council has warned care firms in the city that it will ‘take action’ if staff are being mistreated.
It comes after reports that sponsored care workers are facing problems with their salaries and contracted hours.
Sponsored staff are employees from abroad who have been granted a visa to work in the health and social care sector.
The scheme was initially brought in to cope with staff shortages in the UK’s healthcare system.
But some care firms in Salford have faced claims of poor working conditions.
In June, a care firm in Salford apologised to its staff after claims that workers were threatened with being ‘sent back to their country’ for raising concerns.
Read More: NHS Trust Looking Into Claims That Salford Care Firm ‘Exploited’ Workers
While in January, care workers at Laburnum Court in Broughton held a protest over claims that they had been underpaid, organised with support from trade union Salford City Unison.
Salford council said care workers have contacted them anonymously with concerns about how they are being treated, and are worried about “repercussions from their employer.”
A joint letter from Salford council and the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust has been sent to chief officers of all care providers who hold an International Recruitment Licence and operate in Salford.
This urges care providers in Salford to adhere to the department of Health and Social Care’s code of practice for international care workers.
The council said it will be investigating workers’ treatment and may ask care providers to share evidence of rotas, pay, and shift lengths.
The joint letter called for all providers to comply with a standard of conditions for care workers, including:
- The Foundation Living Wage paid to all staff as a minimum
- Staff paid for all training and travel time during a shift
- Staff who are eligible are entitled to statutory sick pay and annual leave in accordance with ACAS guidelines.
It states:
‘Salford City Council and the Northern Care Alliance want to ensure that all adult social care providers who hold an International Recruitment License operate within the conditions of that license in addition to the known workforce standards.
‘Over the next few months, we will be looking at practice across Salford in this area and may ask for evidence of rotas, pay, shift lengths, travel, work-life balance and pastoral support.’
The council also wants care providers to support access for their staff to Unison.
Coun John Merry, lead member for adult, health and social care at Salford City Council, said:
“We’ve had examples of care workers who are employed as part of the International Recruitment Scheme approaching us anonymously due to the fear of repercussions from their employer.
“On top of this, some staff have been discouraged from joining trade unions.
“This goes against all our principals and has a knock on effect to the care they provide.
“I want to be absolutely clear – the care of our local people is an absolute priority.
“As we move forwards we will be looking at providers in the city and where there are concerns, check for detailed information on personal conditions for employees.
“Good quality providers have nothing to fear – but rest assured we will take action against those who are not responsible employers.
“We will be working closely with the Northern Care Alliance (NCA) and UNISON as we work to create a city that is better and fairer for all.”
The council is planning to make major changes to social care over the next few years.
This includes a commitment from Salford Mayor Paul Dennett to insource sections of social care in the city, as well as bring Aspire – a supported living community interest company – in house under the council.
