Some concerns are shared by other new arrivals and/or by other low paid individuals. Some misunderstandings and concerns are the result of incorrect expectations or assumptions.
As part of their work on diversity and on cohesion local public bodies should understand the concerns of this group and, where necessary, train their own staff (see advice, information and guidance). As employers of migrant workers, public bodies should offer appropriate induction and support (see raising standards).
Employment
Employment related issues can be practical ones about finding jobs and getting skills recognised; they can also be about exploitation by poor agencies and employers.
- Understanding national insurance (NI) and obtaining an NI number
- Understanding which foreign qualifications can be used within the UK and getting these recognised by employment agencies or employers. This is an issue for many migrant workers who start in low skilled jobs that underutilise existing skills and qualifications.
- Finding a replacement job after unexpected redundancy. Speed is important as many migrant workers have limited access to benefits.
Responses
ARIC offers a subscription based membership which gives organisations access to relevant databases. This means that individuals do not have to wait for responses to individual queries and can be helped to understand what a response means. The Multilingual and European Thetford Association in Breckland subscribes, so that they can give better advice.
Exploitation concerns
There is evidence of exploitation by some employers and employment agencies, some of which can be linked to serious crime. Concerns led to the setting up of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA). Police operations Poppy and Pentamenter target sex trafficking and people smuggling.
Problems reported include charging workers for finding them jobs; overcharging for transport to Britain and between homes and jobs once here; illegally high charges for accommodation; failure to provide pay slips or contracts; paying below the minimum wage and no paid leave. Health and safety rules can be breached, including those regarding transport.
Other reported concerns appear designed to keep workers indebted to particular agencies or labour providers. They include agencies bringing over too many workers for the available work, then providing part time work while continuing to charge for full time accommodation and travel. In some areas there has been intimidation of those who visit and those who run advice bureaux.
Workers may not be able to take action themselves for fear of losing jobs and associated housing. Those most at risk of exploitation are individuals with limited English and any in the country illegally, working in the black economy or working beyond their permitted hours.
Housing
Most migrant workers live in the private rented sector. Often their accommodation is arranged by an agency or an employer. While this can work well, there are some concerns about overcrowding, high rents and poor conditions. Tied housing arrangements can make individuals vulnerable as complaints can lead to loss of a job and a home. Minimum standards on caravan sites and in rented accommodation are not always effectively enforced. References, deposits and address confirmation are often needed for direct renting and setting up utilities; this can restrict access to independent lettings.
A minority of those arriving for work can end up needing support from charities or local authorities using emergency welfare powers. Migrant worker access to benefits is limited; many cannot receive housing benefit if unemployed. Unexpected redundancy can be an issue. Case study: Hyndburn Borough Council. Someone who flees an abusive relationship may find a refuge cannot take them. Hostels cannot take rough sleepers or those with drug or alcohol problems; and hence it is hard to stop individuals with such problems deteriorating.
Faith and voluntary groups are critical for providing basic support in these cases. Case study: the Broadway and the London Filipino Centre.
Financial issues: bank accounts, remittances, tax, benefits
Bank accounts may be needed for wages, tax credits and benefits and for sending remittances home safely and relatively cheaply. Remittances are very important to many workers. Recent research by the Department for International Development (2004) showed that £2.3 billion went to developing countries alone in 2001. But opening a bank account without a permanent address, regular income or credit history is difficult, especially if a migrant worker has only limited English.
Most migrants have a passport for personal identification, but may not have proof of a permanent address. Many rent rooms in multiple occupancy houses where the rental cost includes utilities. They will not all have their names on a tenancy agreement or utility bill.
Some local banks accept supportive letters from employers; this may be something that a local strategic partnership can promote locally. Local authorities can promote rent deposit schemes to new migrant worker groups. Housing providers can review their requirements for references.
Tax and benefits
Filling in forms correctly and understanding benefit rules can be an issue. There can be inter-country tax issues which are difficult to get advice on; Polish workers had a particular problem from 2004-06 with a taxation agreement that required many to pay tax in the UK and again in Poland.
Access to English for speakers of other languages and skills recognition
The best way for migrant workers to improve employment opportunities and to access advice more easily, and minimise exploitation, is to improve their English. There is a high demand for classes in English for speakers of other languages (ESOL). However, despite major expansion in ESOL spending there are waiting lists in most areas. Many find classes difficult to access, partly because of shift work or job locations change. Classes may also not be at appropriate levels. See communication.
Access to advice and information
When something does go wrong migrant workers cannot always find trusted advice. Long working hours, poor English and no knowledge of where to go all limit access. In more rural areas transport is an additional barrier. Many areas report considerable unmet demand; when advice services are offered, they are heavily used, often with one person bringing a group of concerns on behalf of others. Because problems are stored up they can become more complex and harder to solve. This, and sometimes the need for interpreters, mean that the time needed to advise migrant workers can easily be double that required for most clients.
Discrimination and other issues
Prejudiced treatment or hate crime is not a priority concern in surveys of migrant workers, but there are localised examples of discrimination inside and outside the workplace.
Examples of other issues
Where migrants bring over their children they face a new set of issues. While most do not report problems finding school places, childcare is expensive and can be difficult when working shift patterns or with a lack of family and friends around. Working migrants often have the right to child-related benefits such as family tax credits, but these can be difficult to organise and receive. Housing problems can be more acute. Where families have to be mobile because of their jobs, accessing services becomes more difficult.
Assumptions and expectations
Some problems are the result of misunderstandings by either new arrivals or the local community. Where migrant workers are from Europe many arrangements are similar to those in the UK, but perhaps because so much is similar it may be easier for mistakes to be made. For example, insurance arrangements and vehicle standards are similar but not uniform throughout the European Union. Healthcare and aspects of education are also different. For example, GPs are a new concept in the Polish health care system; people are used to using hospitals as the way of accessing primary care. So going to accident and emergency is seen as the normal response to a health problem; registering with a GP is not. Formal schooling in much of Europe starts as late as six, and so expectations of a child's academic development at this age may be different between parents and teachers.
Appropriate welcome information for workers and good induction by employers can help correct misconceptions. Talks given to local groups with question and answer sessions, or targeted joint advice sessions with interpreters can also allow common misunderstandings to be sorted out.
Migrant workers and other groups
Discrimination, the need for trusted advice and sometimes interpretation, problems in getting qualifications recognised and in improving their English are also often issues for some asylum seekers and refugees. Problems accessing advice sessions or training courses are common to all shift workers, with access a particular issue for many poorer people in rural areas.
So many local public and voluntary agencies already have experience in dealing with these concerns and should be able to adapt this.
However, it is important to recognise differences, as these can affect how help is provided. Most migrant workers do not have the same rights to funding and housing as asylum seekers, and have less entitlement than refugees to benefits and housing support. Because they are more likely to work long and anti-social hours, they find it harder to reach advice centres when they are open. They need English classes that fit shift patterns and course credits that are short and transferable to match job mobility.
More information about migrant worker concerns
Reports about migrant worker concerns and responses (external links)
- Citizens Advice Bureau, 'Nowhere to turn (external link)', CAB, 2003.
- Citizens Advice Bureau, 'Supporting migrant workers in rural areas: A guide to Citizens Advice Bureau initiatives (external link)' , CAB, 2005.
- Trades Union Congress, 'Overworked, underpaid and over here: Migrant workers in Britain', TUC, 2003.
- T Wright, A Pollert, 'The experience of ethnic minority workers in the hotel and catering industry: Routes to support and advice on workplace problems (external link)', Working Lives Institute, London Metropolitan University, 2005.
- Y Evans, J Herbert, K Datta, J May, C McIlwaine, J Wills, 'Making the city work: Low paid employment in London (external link)', Queen Mary University of London, 2005.
Local research on migrant worker issues including concerns
- P de Lima, B Jentsch, R Whelton, 'Migrant workers in the Highlands and Islands (external link)', Highlands and Islands Enterprise, 2005.
- S McKay, A Winkelmann-Gleed, 'Migrant workers in the East of England (external link)', East of England Development Agency, 2005.
- D Zaronaite, A Tirzite, 'The dynamics of migrant labour in South Lincolnshire (external link)', South Holland District Council, 2006.
- C Schneider, D Holman, 'A profile of migrant workers in the Breckland area (external link)', Keystone Development Trust, 2005.
- S Fox, R Gullen, 'The extent, size and characteristics of the migrant worker workforce in the Vale of Evesham (external link)', Wychavon District Council, 2006.
- Herefordshire Council, 'Information on seasonal and migrant workers in Herefordshire: A review of data available (external link)', Herefordshire Council, 2006.
A recent report from Communities and Local Government, Moving on: Reconnecting frequent movers (external link) highlights the difficulties associated with all mobility.
The problems of destitution; Homelessness issues amongst A8 migrants in London: Homeless Link, 'A8 Nationals in London Homelessness Services (external link, registration required)', Homeless Link, 2006.
Different entitlements for different migrant groups: Will Somerville Ed, 'Working in the UK: Newcomer's Handbook', Second Edition, Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion, 2006.