Composite M (covering Motions 90 & 91)
End Slavery & Exploitation in Health & Social Care
“That this Congress notes with alarm the reports of slavery and discrimination reported by UNISON’s migrant workers.
“Workers are often recruited on false promises and charged illegal recruitment fees. Workers are then enslaved under debt bondage and coerced to endure exploitation and unfair work.
“Congress also notes that employers commonly threaten the withdrawal Sponsorship to perpetuate a culture of bullying, harassment and discrimination under the threat of deportation. Employers then use gagging clauses to conceal these practices and sue workers if they try to escape.
“Congress believes that, while working conditions in care are unfair, the experience of migrant workers is even more extreme and is clearly linked to race.
“Congress notes that the Home Office presides over the racist enslavement of skilled workers who protect the care system from collapse. Congress believes that, while enslavement is designed and enforced in Westminster, it is funded and administered by Scottish public bodies.
“Congress resolves to unite the trade union movement in opposition to slavery and exploitation.
“All workers should be guaranteed the right to join a union, escape slavery and move to a Fair Work employer without victimisation or financial penalty.
“Congress therefore resolves that the STUC should launch a public campaign in 2025 to improve the contracts and working conditions of migrant care workers.
“As a first step Congress resolves that the STUC General Council should write to all Councils, Health Boards and NHS/Council Joint Boards in Scotland as soon as practicable demanding that they commit publicly to employing any care workers whose Certificate of Sponsorship is revoked or threatened by their employers due to them insisting on trade union rights including the following:
- equal treatment and the same contracts as UK born workers;
- occupational sick pay schemes for all workers equivalent to those applying to NHS employees;
- trade union recognition for collective bargaining in the care sector; and
- refunds by care sector employers of all fees charged by the Home Office for Certificates of Sponsorship, visas and biometric cards as well as any fees charged by agents abroad who “found” UK jobs for care workers.
“Congress further resolves that the STUC should campaign for basic human rights for all workers from abroad including:
- restoration of the right to be joined by their dependents;
- free access to NHS healthcare; and
- full access to benefits.
“Congress also demands that:
- the Labour Government repeals the racist enslavement of workers inherited from the previous Tory Government; and
- the Scottish Government uses ethical commissioning, contract management and zero-tolerance enforcement to withdraw funds from racist employers and make equality and human rights a reality in social care.”
Mover: UNISON Scotland
Seconder: Dumfries and Galloway Trades Union Council
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