11. Health and safety and violence
This chapter addresses the health, safety and wellbeing risks faced by migrant workers, particularly those in health, social care, cleaning and other frontline sectors. These workers often encounter increased exposure to unsafe environments, workplace violence, and structural conditions that undermine their safety. Reps and caseworkers need to understand both the legal framework and practical steps they can take to support affected members.
Understanding the risks
Migrant workers are more likely to be placed in roles without proper training, supervision or safety protocols. They can be disproportionately assigned to night shifts or lone working scenarios, where oversight is minimal and the risk of injury, violence or exploitation is greater. Accommodation provided by employers may be overcrowded, unsafe, or even used as a method of coercion. Many migrant workers, especially those on tied visas or in agency settings, feel unable to report unsafe conditions due to fear of dismissal, retaliation or deportation.
Inadequate training
“ They sent me to look after someone with severe dementia. No training. No support. No backup.” – Unison rep in social care
Agency staff are frequently placed in roles without adequate training or support. In one example, a migrant domiciliary care worker was sent into an unsafe environment with no induction. Union efforts to challenge this included:
• Challenging unsafe staffing policies with the client
• Documenting breaches in safety and training standards
• Advocating for minimum standards and support for all staff.
Unsafe PPE in care work
In a private care setting, staff were told to reuse gloves and aprons across multiple patients. There was no hand sanitiser or proper waste disposal. A group of care workers were encouraged to raise concerns collectively about this. Their complaints led to some improvement in supplies. However, those who spoke out faced hostility from management. The union later used this example in training on how to document health and safety breaches.
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