Cookies on oxfam

We use cookies to ensure that you have the best experience on our website. If you continue browsing, we’ll assume that you are happy to receive all our cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Find out more Close

Who Cares? How best to protect UK care workers employed through agencies and gangmasters from exploitation

Who Cares? How best to protect UK care workers employed through agencies and gangmasters from exploitation

Authors
Poinasamy, Krisnah
Fooks, Louie

Publication date
02 Dec 2009

ISBN
9781848141520

Publisher
Oxfam GB

Series
Oxfam Briefing Papers

Type
Policy paper

More than a million people work in the UK social care sector; residential care homes, or providing care to people in their own homes. Care workers, particularly those employed through agencies and gangmasters, are extremely vulnerable to exploitation in this low-paid, low-status sector - and migrant workers are often the most vulnerable. In this paper, we examine the nature of exploitation of migrant care workers in the care sector, made possible by the lack of an effective employment rights enforcement regime. We call for the urgent extension of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) to cover the regulation of agencies in the sector - as effective regulation of agencies will be a significant step in protecting care workers and ensuring their labour rights are respected.

KeywordsUnited Kingdom

Comments