Asylum seekers can work in care homes - P Patel rule change

[jems]

Priti Patel plans to use asylum seekers to replace care workers sacked by 'no jab, no job' policy.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/0 ... le-change/

[bowlingbun]

I have mixed feelings over this, especially the phrase about someone not needing specialist training.
Some refugees who already have some experience of healthcare in their own countries will be fine, IF they have sufficient English language, but once again, the idea that anyone can be a carer as it's so low skilled is insulting.

[Karen Dee]

Oh dear - I can see lots of problems and upset if this goes ahead.

[bowlingbun]

English was always my mum's favourite subject at school, and we were not allowed to use any slang whatsoever. When she needed 3 carers a day, the council had just started employing carers from Eastern Europe. Many were well educated, but needed to improve their English before being allowed to work in the UK. Mum said they worked very hard, much harder than some of the English carers did! I know they loved going to her, as she always corrected their English, very kindly.

However, some were very unfamiliar with English cooking.
I remember mum despaired of one carer who had no idea of what gravy was, or how to make it!!

[Charles_2112]

Especially when we have large gaps in the workforce it makes no sense to have asylum seekers idling, which the government has insisted on for years. Now, finally, they have come up with a change in policy. I won't comment on what I think of it, there's too much likelihood of me getting really political.

But I will say this: it's a political quick fix that won't work because the biggest problem in the social care sector is that it's an afterthought in government circles, a very poor second to the NHS. Even lower than mental health services in the NHS.

Until that's fixed, it doesn't matter where the workers come from.

[jems]

This is all part of the government plan - and is wrong on so many levels.

Importantly, the above article states: ‘Asylum seekers do not require visas as they are already in the UK and, unlike other shortage occupations like butchers, welders and laboratory technicians, care workers do not require specialist training.’

Why on earth does this uncaring and out of touch government think it is acceptable for asylum seekers to be care givers for the most vulnerable people, with little training and possibly very mixed motives in doing this job? Why is there no protest from political opponents, professional organisations, trades unions or the mainstream media?

So get rid of indigenous care home workers who, for their own personal reasons don't wish to take the jab, and who gave their all during the 'pandemic' - and replace them with migrants? This regime is grotesquely corrupt. Will the same be suggested for the impending NHS staff shortage?

This is scandalous.

[bowlingbun]

Will they be paid equivalent to Carers Allowance, or the National Minimum Wage, I wonder???

[Charles_2112]

Hi Jems.

Firstly I'd better point out that I'm really not a fan of this government, but even a broken clock is right twice a day.

if they've changed policy to allow asylum seekers to work - if only after 12 months - that's actually a good thing. It saves the government money and it allows people with skills to pay their way. Everybody wins. And yes - they'll get minimum wage as they're going to be employed. Anyone with a job in the UK is protected by employment laws. I'd love to know what you think the government "plan" is. For clarity's sake, an asylum seeker is not a migrant. A migrant is here for economic purposes. An asylum seeker is treated as being here as a place of refuge. Migrants are allowed, in fact encouraged, to find work and not be a burden on the state. Until now, asylum seekers were not allowed to. At all.

Regarding the carer issue: there's a shortage of workers anyway. This has nothing to do with the vaccine - the recruitment problems are endemic within the care sector, and for years the staff turnover has always been ridiculously high, up to 30% and more.

"Indigenous" is a term used by the extreme right as a dog whistle term for white. Actually, the care sector has a good, strong ethnic mix. And has done for years. Those who don't want to take the jab will come from all parts of that mix. That's the reality.

The asylum seekers who work in care homes will be vaccinated. They're not dirty or diseased. Vulnerable people will be as safe with them as with anyone else. And let's look at the number of care workers who have gone to prison for what they've done to vulnerable people in the past: people are people. There will always be those who are cruel, bullies, thieves: being an asylum seeker doesn't make that more likely. Arguably, far from it if they are more likely to be scrutinised by people who think they are there for "mixed motives."

As for not wanting the vaccine: tough. Vaccine mandates are rare in this country, but it's by no means the first time, and frankly I want my Mum to be protected in her care home as far as possible.

ALL care workers - by law - have to receive the appropriate training for their role and they have to qualify within a set period of time. This will require a reasonable level of English and literacy. That will not change.

This is not scandalous. It's more of a panic measure, to be honest. But there is a little sense behind it. Which is pretty amazing, given where it's come from.

[jems]

Charles

I do not agree with any of the points in your patronising, deliberately provocative post.

But I am not prepared to get into political debate on this forum - or with you.

"As for not wanting the vaccine: tough. Vaccine mandates are rare in this country, but it's by no means the first time, and frankly I want my Mum to be protected in her care home as far as possible." This statement proves how greatly uninformed you are - seems research is required.

[Pet66]

Jems
I don't feel Charles has written a patronising or provocative post.
Stating how he sees the situation as you have been free to do so.