UNISON Support For Migrant Workers

UNISON has released a new information pack to help branch secretaries better support migrant workers and get involved in the Fair Visa campaign, following a national webinar on 17 April attended by 60 branch leaders.

Migrant workers, especially those on Health & Social Care visas, play a vital role across public services but often face serious challenges including fear of retaliation, lack of awareness of rights, and inaccessible union processes.

The current visa system ties workers to employers, creating risks of exploitation, including insecure hours, lack of basic rights, and threats of dismissal leading to loss of visa status.

The Fair Visa campaign in UNISON is led by migrant workers themselves, and the campaign calls for:

• No extension of the route to Indefinite Leave to Remain beyond 5 years

• A government-led sponsorship system, replacing employer control to reduce exploitation

Momentum is building, with over 100 MPs already showing support. You can support the campaign through email, social media, and letter-writing, share messages of solidarity using the hashtag #FairVisaCampaign, and join the Migrant Worker Network to improve visibility and support: go to www.unison.org.uk/unison-migrant worker-network/ to sign up.