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NEW OFFICIAL IMMIGRATION STATS show record-high punitive action against rule-breaking employers. While we welcome more action against exploitative employers, the sponsorship system means that migrant workers tied to that employer will lose their visa. This is grossly unfair. Home Office figures released today show that in Q2 2024, 1,023 actions were taken against Skilled Worker sponsors, the highest since records began in 2012. Thousands of migrant workers will be left in limbo, with just 60 days to find a new sponsor employer before their visa expires and they become overstayers. We need more safeguards for migrant workers whose immigration status is tied to their employer, and greater visa flexibility to enable them to find a new employer before their visa expires. Work visas should give migrant workers the freedom to change employers, and the ability to report exploitation and access remedy on the same terms as their British colleagues. Read our latest blog analysing the latest Home Office immigration data here: https://lnkd.in/edSxEK5n

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This will also punish workers of legitimate sponsors though. Gone will be the days of funding flights, visas and even subsidised accommodation. Many legitimate sponsors may not even bother now because of the lag time in getting sponsorship charges refunded when there is a leaver. Ireland is in a more unique situation as it still can access EU nationals hence the very limited recruitment of even nurses as the exam to practice in Ireland is €3000 so no employer is going to sponsor that to have a nurse leave them. It is going that way now with nurses in UK, many coming in from abroad funding their own exams now

Monica Owusu

Healthcare Assistant | Nurse Associate | Nurse Assistant | Care Worker | Support Worker

2mo

I think the best way to deal with this is for the government to create a separate visa that is not tied to any employer. Migrants can simply apply to the home office for this visa based on qualification and available funds. When the visa is granted, they should be given time to look for a valid employment offer before moving to the UK at no cost to the employer.

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