Memorandum submitted by Together Creating
Communities (TCC)
The charity TCC (Together Creating Communities)
is a broad-based community organisation which has been operating
in North-east Wales for the last fifteen years. It is made up
of 26 member groups, churches of different denominations, a mosque,
schools and community groups. TCC works to strengthen community
and does this by training to develop leadership skills and by
working on local issues brought forward by member groups.
One such issue was brought forward by a Catholic
Church in Rhyl whose Filipino Community, all Senior Care Workers
in local care homes, was being decimated by the changes brought
in by the Border and Immigration Department in August 2007. The
majority of this group have now had to relocate, all to England,
causing enormous disruption in the nursing homes they have left
and to themselves and their families. The next fear is the forthcoming
Points-Based System which it appears will further threaten their
livelihoods and the lives of vulnerable older people who rely
on them, hence this response to the Inquiry.
We understand the need for bringing in a new
system but firmly believe that it should not be applied retrospectively
ie people already here should not be subject to the new Points-Based
System when their visa's and work permits are due for renewal.
It should only apply to those applying to enter the county after
the new system starts. We have also addressed our concerns about
the conditions imposed by Borders and Immigration in 2007 and
their effects if they become part of the Points-Based System.
Together with this background, these are the
points we would the committee to consider including in its report:
1. It would appear that Senior Care workers will
no longer be eligible to enter the country. Our concern is for
those that are already in this country prior to the start of the
Points-Based System.
2. We believe that when the work permits and
visas of Senior Care Workers already in this country are due for
renewal they should not be subject to the Points-Based System
because due to changes already brought in by the Government for
this particular group of workers in August 2007, it will make
it very difficult for those SCW's already here to meet the necessary
requirements to remain.
3. Many of these workers are already falling
through the net of concessions agreed for workers who arrived
prior to January 2004 or afterward.
4. A six month extension was granted for some
workers who have been affected by the confusion wrought by the
changes imposed in August 2007. This six month period is nearly
over and these SCW's are in an even more parlous position because
they are in danger of out staying their visas before the Points-Based
System even comes into being.
5. From August 2007 the Border and Immigration
Department has insisted that SCW's should have NVQ level 3 and
be paid £7.02 an hour.
6. With regard to the NVQ level 3 which B&I
insist was always a requirement, we believe it is unfair that
in all the years before 2007 this was never implemented or highlighted.
Apparently it is now convenient to do so but the SCW's we know
were not aware that this was a requirement before they sold up
everything in their home country (usually the Philippines) to
take up work places that could not be filled by the indigenous
work force here
7. With regard to the £7.02 an hour payment,
whilst agreeing this would be an ideal wage, its imposition has
rendered it arbitrary. There is no demand for SCW's from the UK
or EU to receive this pay rate. This leaves private sector nursing
homes in a very difficult position. They often have contracts
with local authorities which have taken into account the going
rate for this job, which means many simply cannot afford to pay
£7.02 to all their SCW's. They would have a riot on their
hands if they paid £7.02 to workers from the Philippines
but not to anyone else. Therefore many homes have not supported
SCW's when their visas have been due for renewal. It is easier
to let them go.
8. Many of the SCW's have been here working for
years. They are settled in communities. Their children are established
in schools. It is cruel to suddenly say they are no longer eligible
to remain and to uproot whole families. This is made worse by
the prospects for them when they are returned to the Philippines.
9. Many of the SCW's we know have different but
very relevant nursing qualifications as well as a vast experience
of working in this specialised field. This expertise is being
ignored.
10. Care homes have relied on this quiet, compliant
and dedicated work force for years and our vulnerable older people
know, love and are used to them. Anecdotal evidence given to us
is that when these SCW's are replaced by others from eg the EU
there is a huge turn over in staff as the new workers do not remain
in post for long. This is very unsettling and destabilising for
those requiring care and inevitably the standard of care is affected.
11. It is our firm belief that no retrospective
changes should be applied to workers already here whilst we wholly
agree that the Government has the right to make changes as it
sees fit from a new starting point.
July 2008
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