Migrant care workers sign charter to improve conditions across Salford

Migrant care workers have received support from Salford City Council that will aim to improve conditions of the the city’s most vulnerable. 

Salford City Council signed a charter in September to help improve the working conditions signing the Migrant Worker Charter.

The charter aims to prevent social care staff from becoming victims of modern slavery when they travel from overseas to work in the region.

The signing was used to support the Salford City Unison that represents over 4000 workers in Salford.

And will be used to prevent social care staff from becoming victims of modern slavery when they travel from overseas to work in the region.

The Unison is the largest trade union branch in the city, supporting people delivering public services across the public, private, and voluntary sectors.

The signing meant that Salford Mayor Paul Dennett was the pioneering figure, being the first council leader to sign the charter.

Following the signing, Julia Mwaluke, a Salford City Unison activist, said: “As a former migrant care worker myself, I am thrilled that Salford Council has signed this Charter. It is a massive boost for migrant workers in Salford and nationwide.

“Migrant workers play an essential role in our communities, yet too often, they’re undervalued and exploited.

“We welcome Salford City Council’s commitment, but this victory has been achieved through a campaign by migrant workers themselves.

“I know they will continue fighting for their right to decent, equitable, and fair treatment.”

Yesterday, @salford_mayor joined our members to become the first council leader to sign the @unisontheunion Migrant Worker Charter. The charter aims to prevent social care staff from becoming victims of modern slavery when they travel from overseas to work in the region. pic.twitter.com/3Ftg1dUTOv

— Salford City UNISON (@SalfordUnison) October 9, 2024

And it seemed that it was well received, with Steven North, the Branch Secretary, said: “Some of those workers were on sponsored social care visas and would have been deported had we not found them other jobs.

“While we recognised organising was the most fundamental way of challenging this exploitation, we felt the council should do more to ensure they weren’t commissioning companies exploiting sponsored workers.

“We also knew it was an issue that went beyond Salford so working with North West UNISON and other branches, like Bolton UNISON, we supported the sponsored workers in informing a migrant worker charter for social care.”

Salford City Council is the first local authority in England to sign a charter, and the council is already working with the Growth Company and Salford Employment Hub to identify new employment opportunities for migrant workers.

Feature Image Credit: Jason Lawton, The Lowry. (2016). All Creative Commons.