Indian carers in the UK risk deportation; there is a substantial decline in visa applications
Indian carers in the UK risk deportation. Restrictions on healthcare worker visas were increased by the UK government, making family immigration more difficult. Applications for health and care visas fell by a staggering 76%. This occurs at a time when a large number of Indian labourers are under danger of being deported from the UK and being separated from their families who reside there.
Indian carers in the UK risk deportation
- In summary, compared to 2023, the UK is witnessing a 76% decrease in applications for health and care visas.
- The UK government’s health and care visa programme was most popular among Indian nationals last year.
- A few carers received visa offers for jobs that never existed and paid less than the minimum salary.
After the British government made it more difficult for them to bring their families into the country, there was a sharp decline in the number of persons requesting for visas to work in the healthcare industry in the UK. The UK Home Office has revealed data showing a 76% decline in healthcare worker visa applications and a 58% decline in family dependant applications since April 2023. In 2023, the majority of health and care visas were granted to Indian citizens.
This occurs at the same time that a PTI report states that many Indian healthcare professionals in the UK are in danger of being deported, despite the fact that some of them have families there. In two months, they could be deported if they are unable to find new employment that comply with the requirements of their visa.
The new healthcare visa regulations, according to the UK government, are necessary to manage immigration and safeguard British workers.
With 79% fewer student-dependent applications in the first four months of 2024, the British government’s tightening of student visa regulations, which went into effect in January, has prevented most international students beginning courses this year from bringing family members, aside from the health and care visas.
According to UK Home Secretary James Cleverly, “this monthly data is the most up-to-date picture of visa levels, showing that on current trajectories legal migration continues to fall across key routes.”
“Immigration laws should prioritise the needs of the British people. Our strategy is centred on control and justice, he explained. It is directed at the highly skilled immigrants who should be paid fairly, the taxpayers who shouldn’t have to foot the bill, and the British workers who shouldn’t be undercut.
The government of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, which is eager to demonstrate declining immigration rates ahead of a general election later this year, provided the monthly data to prove the effects of measures.
With more than 38,000 visas issued to its people last year, India ranked as the most popular destination for healthcare worker visas. The new laws have put a lot of these people in a challenging position.
According to some employees, they were brought to the UK under false pretences. They allege they were paid far less than the minimum wage or were promised jobs that never materialised.
AN NGO TRYS TO HELP INDIAN WORKERS IMPOVERISHED IN THE UK
The government is being lobbied by the National Council of Gujarati Organisations (NCGO) to assist these trapped workers. Many of them, they claim, have families in the UK and are under pressure to either find new employment or leave the nation.
Protesting on behalf of these workers, many of whom are from Gujarat, the National Council of Gujarati Organisations (NCGO) UK stated that “some of these victims had borrowed thousands of pounds to get the visas and now face deportation for no fault of their own.”
With almost 10,000 signatures on an online petition urging the government to act, the government is required to formally reply.
Many healthcare staff who were hired and transported to the UK are currently unemployed. Though some have family in the UK, they are unable to locate new employment that fits their visa requirements and run the risk of being deported in just two months.
An online petition on the UK Parliament website reads, “Sixty days is a very short notice for a family to arrange departure as it could unsettle their children’s schooling, lead to loss of rent or deposit, furnishing costs, air ticket and relocation costs.” The petition is getting close to 10,000 signatures, after which the UK government is required to formally respond, according to PTI.
UK GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS FAULT
The Home Office has acknowledged that under false pretences, some carers were given visas and forced to travel thousands of miles for positions that either didn’t exist or paid significantly less than the minimum salary needed for their jobs.
According to the PTI story, one affected worker from Rajkot, who is currently living in Leicester with his wife and three kids, has reported his agency to the Action Fraud helpline and is pleading with the UK government for justice.
“My limits on my right to work prevent me from working anywhere else. However, in the last four months, this company has not only not given me work, but it has not even finished the joining process. I’m following up all the time to obtain back my deposit money and to start working. However, I am not receiving an answer,” the unfortunate individual wrote to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
A broader tightening of UK immigration laws is reflected in the new regulations pertaining to healthcare worker visas. The number of applications for student visas has also significantly decreased.
Concerns have been raised by some government representatives that more limitations would harm the UK’s standing as a friendly destination for overseas students.
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