Migrant worker HCAs have worked tirelessly for many years at COCH, providing care for the community. They have been left stranded since the rise of the immigration sponsorship threshold last summer, which meant their annual pay at band 3 was just £63 below the required salary threshold for sponsorship, which they need to maintain their right to work in the UK.
The situation changed with the NHS pay rise on the1st April, which means that the salaries of these workers now meet the threshold of £25,000. The NHS has publicly announced that this means band 3 HCAs are now eligible for sponsorship. There is now no reason for the Trust not to protect these workers, who have given so much to COCH colleagues, patients, and their families. Inaction by the Trust has already resulted in some highly appraised staff leaving.
For months, the Trust delayed finding any solution to protect the jobs of these workers. Some couldn't risk enduring such uncertainty and were forced to find jobs elsewhere.
Earlier this month, migrant workers got organised and marched on a board meeting to get answers. In response to this action, the Trust offered applications for sponsorship for workers whose visa expiry date is due to run out in the next three months.
However, those whose expiry date runs out after this short period remain in limbo.
Act now and protect your colleagues: write to the Chief Executive Jane Tomkinson, Chief People Officer Vicki Wilson and the Chair Of The Board Neil Large to ask them to provide sponsorship to all those at risk of losing their jobs.
